I have been selling Real Estate in Toronto for a number of years and have on occasion shown a property that - once inside - I suspected as being a Marijuana grow house operation. To me all the tell-tail signs were there and I, of course, pointed these out to my clients. Grow-op homes are sold but with them come certain challenges like obtaining insurance, structual problems and maybe even an old buyer of the marijuana showing up one night for some product as this person has not even realized the property has been sold and the dealer long gone. It ends up that you are answering the door in the middle of the night, trying to explain the former dealer is long gone and that you do not sell drugs. It can be a very frightening experience.
The Warning Signs Of A Marijuana Grow-Op
The police estimated there are roughly 50,000 grow houses scattered throughout Canada. With a statistic like that it stands to reason one will be in your neighbourhood. Keep an eye for a house that stands apart in that it seems unkempt, garbage rarely put out, blinds down and you rarely see or even know who lives there.
Marijuana plants require certain unique conditions in order to survive and thrive. They are: warmth - they love it hot; plenty of water and lots of bright light. In order to accommodate this criteria, modifications to the home are made and as a result damage to the structure inevitably follows. Usually the electrical box has been tampered with so that large amounts of free electricity can flow into the house. Needless to say an electrician was probably not involved so there will potentially be code violations and safety concerns. Because the plants love the heat a lot of humidity is generated. Too much of this and mold begins as well as structural rot. Growers realize this fact and often cut through floors, ceiling joists and walls to vent out excess moisture but by doing so they weaken the very floor you may be standing on. Always check the attic before a purchase to check for moisture staining and water damage. Extreme mold is highly visible to the naked eye and a definite health concern.
As basements are often used to house the plants, things I look for when showing the property to a client is: if the floor and ceiling have been recently painted - and if so, I want to know why. (painting them a light colour reflects the light which the plants need) As well, I look to see if there are holes punched in the walls either for extra electrical or venting of moisture. And, looking up at the exposed joists I probe for mold, rot and staining. And, let's not forget to inspect the water supply as all plants need it to survive. Check the plumbing to see if any unusual modifications have been made to the system.
Is It Still Your Dream Home?
Homes, like people, have personalities and if you've viewed a property you definitely want to purchase for you and your family then certainly an expert thorough home inspection should be performed on the house to see if there are any potential problems. Oftentimes with proper clean-up and repair a property that was a grow-op can be rehabilitated. Also, a check with the local police might shed some light on the homes past. (if there is one) Even neighbours may have a story or two on what they may have noticed regarding the property. Insurance companies can also be a factor as they are tending to be increasingly cautious about placing a policy on a former grow-op home. It would be wise to see if coverage can be obtained.
As stated, there are almost 50,000 homes throughout Canada that have potentially been a grow-op. But, with due diligence on you and your Realtors part problem areas - if any - can be dealt with, and your new purchase will remain your dream home for many years to come.
