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Landlords urged to be on guard against cannabis farms

Landlords are being reminded to remain attentive when viewing or inspecting rental homes in order to weed out tenants that may be growing cannabis in their investment properties. 

It is important to vet tenants carefully and watch out for the tell-tale signs that a property is being used as a cannabis farm.

Apart from the old factories and derelict hospitals these cannabis farms have been found in, they are also popping up in residential rental properties.

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Police forces have reported an increase in the number of raids on cannabis farms. Nottinghamshire Police says it has seen a rise of 280% in cannabis plant seizures during lockdown over the same period last year. 

Property litigation specialists Hägen Wolf are advising landlords to carefully follow the procedure if they suspect illegal use of their property in connection with drugs or prostitution.

Philip Copley, a solicitor at Hägen Wolf, said: “Landlords should seek to terminate the tenancy, but in reality that can be easier said than done. The landlord needs to take some action, and quickly so that they are not seen as condoning the behaviour.”

The firm advises that in the case of a standard assured shorthold tenancy, the landlord can rely upon section 8 of the Housing Act 1988, and serve a notice to terminate the tenancy based on ground 12 (a discretionary ground-based on any breach of the tenancy agreement) or ground 14 (applicable where the tenant is guilty of a nuisance or has been convicted of illegal conduct).  

Usually, only two weeks’ notice is required before court action can begin, although this has been temporarily changed to three months during coronavirus pandemic.  However, there are no such restrictions on applying for an injunction requiring the tenant to cease the illegal use.

Copley continued: “A landlord cannot just change the locks – that is illegal, and so court proceedings must be initiated to recover possession of the property. Both grounds are discretionary, which means the onus is on the landlord to prove that the tenant’s conduct is so bad that the Judge is justified in evicting them. That means that the landlord, and any helpful neighbours, should keep a detailed log of conduct such as night-time visitors, strange noises, or any funny smells, which might indicate that illegal activity is taking place, and ideally supported by photographs and videos. If it is safe and possible to report the matter to the council or police, then do so – that can create a paper trail which strengthens the landlord’s case.”

In the case of a long residential lease, as is common with flats, a clause against ‘illegal or immoral conduct’, will likely exist. In these situations, where the owner of a flat is undertaking illegal action at the property, the building owner should make an application to the Residential Property division of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a determination that there has been a breach. Once that has happened, the landlord should then serve the flat owner with a notice under section 146 of the Law of Property Act 1925, and then begin court proceedings to evict them. 

The process is known as ‘forfeiture’, and it means that the ownership of the flat will revert to the landlord, who can then sell it to, often for a substantial return.  In most cases though starting this process will simply prompt the flat owner to take steps to evict or injunct the tenant in order to avoid losing their flat.

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    Not sure about a few things:
    - Should the landlord always report this if the cannabis is for the tenant's own use? Even the police may not be interested in arresting unless there is evidence of dealing.
    (- What if if class A drugs are seen in the property? Or so much alcohol on the premises that it seems the tenant has a problem? Or lots of counterfeit or illegal CDs/DVDs? )
    - Should the landlord always evict if cannabis is found is found on the premises? Maybe just a warning is best, especially if smaller amounts of the drug is found.
    - Should the landlord be the moral guardian of the tenant?



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    PossessionFriendUK PossessionFriend

    David, if they're growing it, - even INITIALLY for their own use, Trust me, GREED will take over and they'll be canabalising the property to grow to sell.
    Damage to rental properties from Canabalisation START at around £20 k and go Upwards.
    Landlords Don't want these types of tenants
    ( Do you think they're the kind to abide by all the other terms of their tenancy AND pay rent )
    These people are 'professionals ' at cultivating and know how long it takes for a Landlord to evict and, How long the cultivation cycle is.
    Which do you think takes the longest !!!

     
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    If we see the drugs we have to report them, if we do not we also can be prosecuted

     
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