Nasty Tenants Grow Cannabis in the loft of my lovely family home

Woolsery

thegreenone said:

I don't imagine they will be back for their stuff but perhaps store it securely and take the money from the secured deposit.  When you have deducted repairs from the deposit and the money runs out.  Ditch it all.

I think it's wise to secure any personal belongings. Keep receipts for all your expenses too.

The main lesson to learn is the emotional risk in letting out a cherished house, even to those with suitable references and of apparent good behaviour. Being a landlord is a business activity and ought to be approached in a detached and professional manner,. Perhaps consider moving into the house early, as this experience will not be easily forgotten.

user1977

Woolsery said:

thegreenone said:

I don't imagine they will be back for their stuff but perhaps store it securely and take the money from the secured deposit.  When you have deducted repairs from the deposit and the money runs out.  Ditch it all.

The main lesson to learn is the emotional risk in letting out a cherished house

Indeed - this stopped being the OP's "family home" as soon as they moved out, and became the asset of their letting business.

macman

You can't 'terminate the tenancy agreement immediately'. In theory they can sue you if you do, though i doubt they'll be coming back to do that...
Put a claim into the deposit scheme for the cost of the damage to be deducted from the deposit. You did protect the deposit?
Given that their leccy usage is lower than a typical property over that period, it seems likely that their horticultural enterprise is very newly installed indeed.

Eldi_Dos

@IamWood, You should get in touch with the distribution network operator for your area and report this,the electrician you employed may not see anything up with supply but that does not mean it has not been bypassed somewhere out of sight.

IamWood

Thank you all for your support and advice. Appreciated.

To answer a few questions above.

1) the electricity consumption is calculated from the readings when they moved in and the readings on the day they ran away.

2) The police called the energy supplier before they entered the loft citing "health and safety". The chap from the energy supplier claimed that the electricity was not bypassed.

3) I have followed everything required by law and more. Their deposit of 5 weeks' rent is secured. I'll file a claim when I have some ideas about ​​the damage

4) Funny enough, they ran away and left a message asking me to lock the door saying they had to get out. They left all the keys in the house. They have not tried to reenter the house for almost 2 weeks after the Police had raided the house.

5) I don't think they live there. Further inspection showed that the beds were made for me to see on the day. Only dirty clothes, food suppliers, and DIY equipment were left in the house.

peterhjohnson

PM22 said:

Why would the police clean up...that's not what the police are there for 

According to the OP, the police said they would clean up. Why did the police make a promise they had no intention of keeping?

[Deleted User]

Hear, hear.

TripleH

Regarding cleanup, I heard about a cannabis farm raided by police in an industrial unit.

The equipment was seized but a professional cleaning company came in to tidy the unit (hired by landlord). They gave the site manager 2 bin bags of cannabis plants as they weren't allowed to take them. He had to ring the police and inform them he was dropping it off in case he got pulled over enroute. Despite having the contact name of an officer involved in the raid, he had a few awkward questions to deal with.

Dispose of anything carefully even if it's bin bags to local nick.

Norman_Castle

peterhjohnson said:

PM22 said:

Why would the police clean up...that's not what the police are there for 

According to the OP, the police said they would clean up. Why did the police make a promise they had no intention of keeping?

Define "clean up". The police will remove the plants and damage the equiptment to make it unusable. Its not their job to remove the waste regardless of what the op believes he was told.

IamWood

It's not my intention to bring up political debate here. My apologies.

I gave out their nationalities as claimed on passports, names, accent and gestures. Very likely they are fake through and through. I also try to warn fellow members here

Regarding police promises, they ensured me again and again they would clean up everything as we were shaking to find out what was going on in my house.

Tbh I'm loosing my faith to humanity ☹️