Signs that your investment property is a drug house

When you make the decision to invest in a rental property and entrust it to tenants, you expect tenants to behave responsibly. Once you hand over the keys, your rental property is in the hands of strangers, and you must maintain vigilance to ensure the protection of your property. Criminals are increasingly turning to residential rental properties as places to manufacture illegal drugs. Turning a blind eye to potential illegal activity could result in thousands of dollars in damage to your property, as well as the potential for additional fines and penalties. Read on for the telltale signs that your investment property is a drug house.

1. Beware of tenants who seem overly interested in the electrical supply when they visit the property. Unusual questions about wiring may indicate plans to grow cannabis, which needs a lot of heat and light to thrive. Producers often attempt to tamper with electrical wiring to bypass the electric meter, avoiding detection of excessive electricity use.

2. Watch for excessive moisture in the rental unit. Marijuana growing operations need a high level of humidity. Look for moldy carpeting, peeling paint, or condensation on windows.

3. Beware of tenants who want to pay rent in advance in cash for the entire lease period. Tenants who intend to grow or manufacture drugs want to minimize their presence in the building. Paying in cash also prevents you from knowing their checking account details, which could help track them down should their illegal activity come to light.

4. Be aware of dark windows and curtains that remain closed during the day. Tenants involved in drug production need privacy to carry out their illegal activities.

5. Pay attention to reports from neighbors about people coming in and out of the house at all hours. This traffic pattern is typical of a meth lab or house, as meth addicts can stay awake for days at a time and do not maintain a regular schedule for sleeping and other normal activities.

6. Be alert for strange odors that smell like cat urine, ammonia, ether, or acetone. These odors are associated with methamphetamine production. Also, skunky odors could be indicative of a marijuana growing operation.

7. Take note of excess trash, especially duct tape, drain cleaner, flashlight fuel cans, and antifreeze containers. All are used in the production of methamphetamine.

8. Be careful with chemical equipment such as beakers, flasks, and rubber tubes. Since the practice of chemistry as a hobby is quite rare, take the presence of such equipment seriously.

9. If you suspect drug activity, ask neighbors if they see tenants taking cigarette breaks. Since ether, which is highly explosive, is used in the production of methamphetamine, tenants who manufacture this drug must go outside to smoke their cigarettes.

You must tour the exterior of the rental property every four to five weeks. If you suspect drug activity, contact the police immediately. Never confront restraint yourself. A landlord’s liability for drug activity varies by state, so take action any time you suspect illegal activity on your rental property. You’ll want to get out of the lease as soon as possible to avoid lawsuits, property destruction, and trouble with the law.