NLA issues cannabis production alert

Permalink: NLA issues cannabis production alert
by Gill Montia

The private rental sector is being targeted by criminal gangs, the National Landlords’ Association (NLA) has warned.

Privately-rented homes across the UK are being used not just to grow cannabis but also for the production of crystal meth, on a commercial scale.

Prostitution is another unlawful activity undertaken by the wrong kind of tenant.

The NLA points out that criminals are attracted to rented properties (often in quiet residential areas) and landlords can find their insurance invalidated when property damage results from their activities.

One NLA member lost £20,000 when two of his properties were used to grow cannabis - the gang involved took out internal walls and rewired the property directly to the electrical mains.

The body suggests five ways of beating criminal gangs as follows:

Take detailed references including a credit check, employer references and a reference from the current landlord.

Don’t take rent up front; criminals often offer this as way of ensuring they are left alone.

Check on the property at least quarterly and more regularly if concerns are raised.

Get to know the neighbours, as they may alert a landlord to any suspicious activity.

Where there are suspicions of criminal behaviour, go straight to the police.

NLA chairman, David Salusbury, says: “Criminal activity not only has an impact on the landlord’s property, but on the community as whole.”

He adds: “More worryingly, criminals use the proceeds of their crime to fund other, more serious crimes such as people trafficking.”

For the unconvinced, photographs of cannabis factories in private rented accommodation can be found on the NLA website.

Last year, Norwich Union issued a similar warning regarding intensive cannabis production.

The company advised that insurers may not settle a claim if the landlord hasn’t taken “reasonable precautions” in preventing misuse of a property.