Know your onions - and your tomatoes!
Mary-Anne Bowring 05/03/2019
4493
Could You Tell the Difference Between Cannabis and Tomatoes?
One Scottish letting agent was caught out recently when she found a tenant growing what she thought was cannabis in the bedroom of a rented property in West Lothian. In fact, the letting agent was left red-faced when the plants turned out to be tomatoes! However, the agent was right to be vigilant and right to report her suspicions when she got back to the office.
The Rising Threat of Cannabis Farms in Rental Properties
Cannabis farms are on the rise, and growers often choose rented properties to cultivate their plants. Unfortunately for landlords, the law holds them responsible if their property is used for the production, cultivation, possession, or supply of cannabis.
Legal Consequences for Landlords
Cannabis is a Class B drug, and under Section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, landlords can face severe penalties if illegal activity is discovered on their property. This can include hefty fines or even a criminal record.
Signs That Your Property Might Be a Cannabis Farm
To protect themselves, landlords and property agents should be aware of common signs of cannabis cultivation, such as:
- A strong, distinctive smell of cannabis.
- Unusual equipment like lighting racks and ventilation fans being brought into the property.
- Windows permanently blacked out or covered.
- Bright lights left on all day and night.
- Excessive condensation or misted-up windows.
- The sound of ventilation and extraction fans running 24/7.
- Unusual wiring or cabling that may indicate electricity is being stolen.
What to Do If You Suspect Illegal Activity
If you or your letting agent notice these warning signs, take immediate action:
- Do not confront the tenants – they may react violently.
- Report your suspicions to the police as soon as possible.
- Document any unusual activity to provide evidence if needed.
Stay Vigilant and Educated
The lesson from this story is clear: landlords and property agents must remain vigilant to prevent illegal activities in rental properties. But as this case in West Lothian showed, they should also brush up on their horticultural knowledge – sometimes, those suspicious plants might just be tomatoes!
Planetrent Properties
info@planetrent.co.uk
0208 0599 550 (for sales)
Under Offer: This term applies to a property where the landlord is considering an offer but remains on the market. It implies that further offers may still be considered until the landlord formally accepts or declines the current offer.
Let Agreed: This term indicates that a landlord has provisionally agreed to enter into a rental agreement with a prospective tenant, pending additional checks and referencing. It doesn't require the prospective tenant to have paid a holding deposit.
Let: This term signifies an established binding rental agreement between the landlord and tenant.
For both lettings and sales, the guidance addresses additional terms:
New On The Market: This term is used for a property not advertised since its last sale or rental. It should only be used for a brief period.
New Instruction: It applies to a property assigned to an agent for marketing recently, even if it was previously listed with another agent without being sold or rented.
New and Exclusive: This term refers to a property that is either new on the market or a new instruction, exclusively available through a specific agent or portal.
New Method of Sale/Let: This term is used when a property is being marketed for sale or rent using an alternative approach to the original advertisement, such as transitioning to an auction or sealed bid.
Reduced: This term indicates that a property's price has recently been reduced. The reduction should be genuine and comply with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's guidelines on pricing practices.