tenant grow cannabis in rented house

John116106

I have a house rented to a young lady since July of last year. I checked her passport, three months' payslips, and one year of payment records to her previous landlord; all the documents looked fine. She also made all the rent payments reliably until February. I inspected the house before Christmas, and everything looked fine.

However, she didn't pay the rent for March and hasn't replied to my messages. When I went to the house, I found an additional door fitted outside the entrance door. The neighbor said the police broke in a few weeks ago because cannabis was being grown inside the house.

I went to the police station and was told officials would contact me, but it's been two days, and no one has called yet. I'm not sure what I should do next. Can I remove the padlock on the additional door to check the status inside the house and report any damage to the home insurance company? If there is damage (I believe the front entrance door has been damaged), can I claim compensation from the police?

If the tenant used fake documents, does that mean the contract is automatically terminated? I can't get in touch with the tenant now. She might be on the run or arrested

user1977

On what basis would the police be liable to compensate you? I presume they were lawfully enforcing a search warrant. I doubt it's an insured risk either.

DullGreyGuy

I hope for your sake it was a small number of plants in a wardrobe type thing and not a cannabis farm... have seem the size of some claims made for the damage done when tenants have done the latter but many policies have rather low limits for Tenant Damages leaving the landlord to cover the majority of the loss. 

You have no evidence of any wrong doing at this point other than a single months unpaid rent so the contract isn't automatically cancelled and you'd have to follow due process to terminate it until there is any evidence of wrong doing. 

The police/tax payers dont pay for damage done to gain entry on a properly executed warrant. You may have recourse against the tenant if they were committing the offences alleged and you can trace them.

John116106

Thanks Both.

At this moment, I have no idea what has happened. The house was quite empty and tidy when I inspected it before Christmas. I don't even know who fitted the plywood board with a very small padlock on it. There is no other sign or seal tape. I am not sure whether I can remove the padlock to get inside with my spare key. A neighbor mentioned that four police vehicles came a few weeks ago.

 I wonder why the police haven't contacted me since then

Smalltownhypocrite

Sounds like a raid so more than just 1 or 2 pots the house is likely a grow den.

For what to expect our house was one in the past. They drilled huge holes in the ceilings for vents and stapled foil to all the walls, wood, window frames... several are still there now just pained over (removing them left holes everywhere).

I don't know what else was there but thats the 'remaining' damage when we moved in.

propertyrental

If there was a criminal conviction or other evidence of criminal activity, you can evict using S8 G7a

See

Schedule 2 (17 S8 Grounds a LL can use)

John116106

propertyrental said:

If there was a criminal conviction or other evidence of criminal activity, you can evict using S8 G7a

See

Schedule 2 (17 S8 Grounds a LL can use)

Thanks. What should I do with this? Fill the form and send to the tenant? She might be on the run or in custody 

MultiFuelBurner

You could expect electrical correction where they have toyed with electrics, large holes in internal walls and external for large air ducts.

Just a general mess to clear up, big holes to fill, electrical work and maybe a few bricks and patching if they have gone external for venting in a big way.

Circa £2-3k if doing some work yourself and redecorating yourself.

Happened to us once.

John116106

I'm sorry to hear that. Have you guys managed to receive compensation from the insurance company? I have Admiral landlord insurance, but I'm not sure if there are specific procedures I need to follow regarding to crime damages

MultiFuelBurner said:

You could expect electrical correction where they have toyed with electrics, large holes in internal walls and external for large air ducts.

Just a general mess to clear up, big holes to fill, electrical work and maybe a few bricks and patching if they have gone external for venting in a big way.

Circa £2-3k if doing some work yourself and redecorating yourself.

Happened to us once.

Smalltownhypocrite said:

Sounds like a raid so more than just 1 or 2 pots the house is likely a grow den.

For what to expect our house was one in the past. They drilled huge holes in the ceilings for vents and stapled foil to all the walls, wood, window frames... several are still there now just pained over (removing them left holes everywhere).

I don't know what else was there but thats the 'remaining' damage when we moved in.

sheramber

The relevant police officer dealing with the case may not  have been at work in the last two days - he may have gone on holiday, he may be on days off, he may be on night shift.

From experience you have to wait for him to come back to work. The work is not dealt with by anyone else.

John116106

I called National Grid regarding the electricity supply to the house, and I was told that the police raided the house on  7th Feb. My neighbor said no arrests were made. however, if the police need any information regarding the tenant, they should contact me before.
I plan to remove the padlock on the outside plywood board to check, but I'm not sure whether I will get in trouble with the police. Either insurance (Admiral landlord insurance wont cover crime damages) or the police willn't pay any compensation anyway

sheramber said:

The relevant police officer dealing with the case may not  have been at work in the last two days - he may have gone on holiday, he may be on days off, he may be on night shift.

From experience you have to wait for him to come back to work. The work is not dealt with by anyone else.