This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
After a recent substantial drug find in Aberdeen, landlords across the UK have been warned to be vigilant and take the appropriate measures to protect against criminal activity in their own home.
Cannabis
During the raid on the property in Aberdeen, policed seized over £30,000 worth of cannabis, following a tip-off from a member of the community. A woman was subsequently arrested for selling the drug, which had been grown within the property.
Landlords are warned that the cultivation of cannabis is moving more into rented accommodation. With this in mind, landlords should conduct frequent checks.
Telltale signs that a tenant may be cultivating cannabis include large electricity bills, constantly closed windows and an agitated response when others try to gain access to the property.
Police can also help concerned landlords check a property for cannabis by using thermal imaging equipment. This specialist equipment can check if a property is unusually warm which could be a sign of cannabis cultivation under heat lamps.
Risks
Away from legal issues, the cultivation of cannabis in a property can cause long-lasting or fatal damage. Heat lamps used to grow the drug are an obvious fire risk, not only to the property in question but also for neighbours. It has also been known for people cultivating the drug to create temporary electrical circuits that avoid the main house provider. This makes the risk of both fire and electrocution a real possibility.
