Indoor Marijuana grow operations can severely damage the structure of a home. As such, rental properties are often used for growing and cultivating plants. Several hints are offered for landlords to assist in protecting their property or identifying possible grow operations:
- Be aware if residents want to pay in cash.
- Renters are never home when you stop by.
- Renters ask to meet away from the home to exchange rent money or talk about the property.
- Renters will not allow you to come into the home to check on the condition of the property.
- The windows are always covered with blankets, cardboard, or tin foil.
- Unusually high utility bills, especially power and water.
- Unauthorized renovations to the property or request of unusual renovations to the home.
- House or utility payments are made under different or assumed names.
Some tips to help prevent a grow operation from occurring on your property:
- Check your property regularly.
- Complete credit and reference checks on your renters.
- Check the exterior of the home as well as the inside to identify any wires or hoses along the ground or directed into the home.
- Be diligent. If you are away or unable to check on your property have someone check it for you. The more diligent you are with the condition of the home, the less likely you are to experience damage from a grow operation.
- If you suspect that your rental property is a grow operation, call police.