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Is your home a former grow-op?

By
Real Estate Agent

Marijuana grow-op’s are places where marijuana is or was grown for a period of time. Also known as “grow-op’s, the size of the operation can range from one marijuana plant to thousands of plants.

So you might ask, well what does this have to do with me? If you are a buyer, you should ensure that the home you are about to purchase was never used a grow-op. The majority of grow-op’s are typically operated out of a home. And since they have been operating out of homes, this may contribute to poor air quality caused by mould growth and lingering chemical residues in the unit where it was found. This can lead to serious health risks for you and your family.

How do you know that the house you are about to purchase was or was never used as a grow-op? You have a few options. First, a good realtor will insert a grow-op clause in the body of the offer. By inserting this clause, the current homeowner MUST disclose whether or not the home was ever used as a grow-op. Second, contact your local police department. For the cities of Mississauga and Brampton, call Peel Regional Police at 905-453-3311. You may also go in person to 22 Division Peel Regional Police HQ located at 7750 Hurontario Street, in the city of Brampton. By going in person, you are making a request for an address check through police records, via freedom of information act. Third, invest in a home inspector. A home inspector will be able to tell you if the place was previously used as a grow-op.

The options that I mentioned above are not a 100% deterrent, but at least you cover yourself and make sure everyone is looking out for your best interests.

In closing, I would like to share with you some signs that I feel are useful in identifying marijuana grow operations in your neighbourhood:

-strange odours coming from the home
-people using side and garage door entrances.
-vandalized hydro meters
-great deal of foot in and out of the house over short periods of time
-boarded windows with a lot of condensation from the outside.
-no snow on the roof and sides of the home during heavy winter storms.

SOURCE: Toronto Police Servicewww.torontopolice.on.ca

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