[PassionForMaryJ]

This article was put together by a friend of mine LuckyLeaf, if you are still around Lucky get in touch when ya can, and I hope you do not mind be bringing your info back, and posting it here, I felt it was very valuable!!

The info below is LuckyLeaf's, not my own
I am just bringing it back so it is not lost in case OG does not come back up...

"Good info on what people look for if there is suspicion of growing mostly apartments."

Just something I found in a search.

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Over the past 10 years, there has been a marked increase in the number of drug cultivation operations, usually involving cannabis - most notably marijuana - across Canada.

Grow operations have no specific size or location. They can set up virtually anywhere - from the bedroom of a middle class home to empty office space in a large commercial building. They could be located in a rural or urban setting, in a quiet residential neighborhood, or in an industrial park. However, the preferred location, according to law officials, is in residential, rental properties.

What are the Risks associated with grow operations?

Most people assume that the only party at risk is the actual grower, and that this risk is limited to that of being caught by the police. While that risk certainly does exist, there are many others inherent in a home grow operation. The potential damage caused by these risks is considerable, amounting to thousands of dollars.

Fire

A grow operation puts the building and its occupants at risk of fire. In order to provide the increased light and ventilation required for a grow operation, overloading conductors, bypassing fuses and unsafe wiring are the norm. Further, the high humidity leads to oxidation of electrical contacts and panel boards that can cause heat build up and arcing. In order to divert most of the electricity for lighting and ventilation, natural gas systems may also be altered or cylinders of propane brought into the building to supply makeshift heaters.

Structural Damage

In order to optimize the use of space and light, the interior wall finishes, supports, partitions, and flooring may be removed/destroyed. Growing racks may also be built, increasing the load weight of the floors and risking collapse. Repeated exposure to soil, chemical and water will rot the building components in a short period of time and make the structure vulnerable to pest and mould contamination.

Health

There are also significant health risks to occupants of the building and the surrounding neighborhood. Large quantities of pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers are used in the grow operation and these present hazards in enclosed environments. If a grow operation is being housed in a dwelling in which there is more than one tenant, not only is the actual grower being exposed to health hazards, but other tenants may be as well. In addition, empty chemical containers and contaminated waste water may also be discarded into the neighborhood environment.

Crime

When there is illegal activity in a neighborhood, the risk of exposure to collateral crime increases. There have been incidents where other crimes were committed as a result of the type of individuals attracted to the neighborhood.

Tips for Landlords / Property Managers

In some cases, landlords are aware of the illegal activity. However, in the majority of cases, landlords remain unaware until it is too late and the result of their inattention is thousands of dollars worth of damages to their property. If you suspect or discover a grow operation, DO NOT confront your tenant. Instead, contact the police or Crime Stoppers.

Get to know your neighbors

Advise them that the property is a rental. Ask them to keep an eye on it and alert you of anything suspicious or out of the blue - like visitors at unusual hours.

Screen your tenants

Check their references.
Advise them that you check your property regularly and that you have regular contact with the neighbors.
Take note of your tenants vehicles and license numbers.
Find out which tenant is signing for the hydro / phone.
Make it a requirement that they carry tenants insurance.
Be there when they move in.
Be wary of an individual who claims he is self-employed and has no office number.
Insist on rent checks - no cash payments.
Obtain an appropriate damage deposit.
Tenant Traits to be Suspicious of:

Individual makes no service / maintenance requests.
The individual only has a cell number.
Personal appearance is inconsistent with employment.
Luxury automobiles begin to appear on the premises.
During scheduled interior inspections, access to one or more rooms is not granted - someone is sleeping, etc.
Evasive responses.
Tell-tale Signs of Grow Operations

The Dwelling

Check your property at least once a month - an exterior walk around should suffice. Look for:

The home may not look 'lived in'.
The basement windows will be dark the majority of the time. They may be boarded up or otherwise darkened.
There is condensation on darkened windows.
New chimney / roof vents installed.
New attic vents / dryer vents installed.
Smoke / heat coming from chimney during non-heating season.
Obvious electrical meter by-pass constructed.
Smells and Odors:

There is a strong ammonia-like smell in the air, often at the same time each day / night. Also common is a sweet vegetative smell or the unique smell of rotting cabbage. Also, the odor of moth balls, chlorine, manure, soap and / or air fresheners are common as such are frequently used in an attempt to mask the smell of the operation.
Noise

Humming or motorized fan-like noises.
Discarded equipment

Potting soil, nutrient containers, small plastic plant pots, and 1-gallon plastic pots
Wiring, root balls, PVC piping, scraps of heavy black plastic, 4" x 6" dryer hose, and cut pieces of garden hose.

Meters and Electricity

Electrical meter indicates significant consumption.
Localized Power Surges / Browning: Neighborhood residences experience unexplained power surges or power 'browning' (decrease of power that dims lights and slows down appliance use) with the return of normal power flow approximately 12 hours later.

Other Indicators

'Beware of Dog' signs - used to deter trespassing, protect against theft and detection by police.
Build up of junk mail / flyers.
No garbage is put out on garbage day.
By taking these precautions, you will reduce the chance of a marijuana grower renting your property. It is better to lose a month's rent now than rent in haste and put your investment at risk.

Screening of potential tenants and frequent inspections of the property drastically reduces the likelihood of a grow operation being set up on your premises.

It is very expensive to equip and run a commercial marijuana operation ($5,000 - 20,000) and it takes approximately 3 months to cultivate a crop. Marijuana growers will not take the chance on losing their investment if they suspect that the landlord will check the property regularly.

As a landlord, it is not necessary that you make sudden, unannounced inspections. Give the proper notice.

[klaze]

If one is responible in the grow than such things are unesecary. And what of those that grow more medical reasons yet do not have cards. Incouraging the arrest of pot growers goes against everything this site and everything that we as a community beleive in. What the fuck is that all about anyway? This is just as bad as the propoganda put forth by the government. Dont get me wrong, I do understand what point the article it is trying to make. And I do understand that owners dont want growers in there property, thats 100% understandable But nonetheless that couldnt be more fucked up, and twisted in terms of ratting them out to the fucking po-po. Turning in someone who grows, or smokes is no different than turning in the fine people that created this site, or that produce seeds. Whether they be shady or not, its still fucked up to turn in the fellow grower to the man. There are other ways to aproach the situation, other ways to take care of business. I agree with the precautions to prevent individuals from growing, hey its the owners property not the renters. Anyway, Im ranting, the part of turning in the anyone for marijuana is just plain messed up.

Klaze

[PassionForMaryJ]

That was supposed to kinda be like a landlords point of view I think...
Kinda what they go by....
So the grower knows what they look for...

In no way was that incouraging the arrest of pot growers.

[klaze]

I can see the landlords point of view, but still....

Klaze

[PassionForMaryJ]

When LuckyLeaf posted that and had it become a STICKY over at OG it was because it was helpful because those that grow in apartments would know the guidelines land lords follow when renting....
The info helps you to know what they look for, with knowing that you can know how to be more safe as a grower...

[FormerOGer]

great post

[Verite]

Pretty funny as theres at least a couple dozen things listed there that a landlord can be sued for from privacy, discrimination, to civil rights. Asking landlords to do your own job isnt exactly the answer to the problem, getting neighbors to narc on each other isnt exactly heading down the right road either.

[PassionForMaryJ]

That was posted because it is intended to help others know what landlords look for...
Which things are you saying a landlord can be sued for Verite?
You did understand the nature of the post right?

(Screen your tenants) part is telling you what most good landlords do...

This way if you are a grower in an appt you know how to be more secure......

[Verite]

Yeah I should have clarified but thats directed to whoever [ whatever po-po ]authored the doc. These are examples that one could deem illegal breach of privacy/civil rights. Just cause they own the property doesnt give them the right to violate the same areas cops cant tread.

Take note of your tenants vehicles and license numbers.
Find out which tenant is signing for the hydro / phone.
Make it a requirement that they carry tenants insurance.
Insist on rent checks - no cash payments.

My area has has large influxes of refugees from particular countries so the ACLU has been very active towards landlords and their methods. As a result they would look at this document as the quickest way to a lawsuit and avoid its advice like the plague.

[PassionForMaryJ]

Amen to that Verite, I am with you there!!!
Glad to hear somebody is protecting renters rights!!!!

Take care Verite!!!