Crime reduction 

Advice for landlords - what you need to know

The information below is aimed at landlords, property managers and letting agents.

It gives advice on how to spot if drug production might be taking place at their property, and what to watch out for with regard to new tenants.

A landlord is anyone who rents a property or part of a property to another person.

What you need to know

• Rented properties are often a convenient way for criminals to hide their drug production and blend in with the community.
• Properties used for cannabis cultivation are often rented and then sub let by the tenants, making it difficult to trace the main offenders.
• Landlords who allow their property to be used for cannabis cultivation and fail to report it to the police are breaking the law and could be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison.
• The financial impact on landlords can be substantial – damage to buildings, loss of income while property is cleared, and reduction in value.

Check new tenants

• Are they eager to pay with cash and for a number of months in advance?
• Are they reluctant to give their bank details, contact addresses and telephone numbers?
• Check their references thoroughly.
• Ask for photographic identification and take copies.
• Confirm the authenticity of their last addresses.

Remain vigilant

• Use your senses – eyes, ears and smell.
• Are the property’s windows always shut and blacked out?
• Are there items such as fertilizer grow bags and water piping lying around?
• Are there more bin bags outside the property than usual?
• Has your tenant changed the locks and/or installed alarms?
• Have the electrics been fiddled with? Are there more lighting units than normal?
• Has there been any other suspicious activity at the address?
• Ask neighbours to keep you informed of any suspicious activity.