British Columbia landlords can now put technology to work for them in ferreting out illegal grow operations that can threaten their rental properties.
Former Mountie and security specialist Brian Goldstone from Griffin Security told CTV news that his company is offering the use of infrared cameras to landlords wanting to check up on their tenants.
The technology is based on the fact that marijuana grow ops can produce an elevated level of heat, which can be detected from the outside of the property. While the existence of the operation still needs to be confirmed from the inside, this method gives landlords the advantage in detecting grow operations before their properties are destroyed.
Grow operations are most typically located in rental properties, according to the RCMP. Often, plumbing and electrical lines are altered to feed the operation, and significant damage results.
The RCMP just announced an initiative to stop grow operations. In September, the RCMP was involved in a sweep in Calgary that busted 18 grow ops in three days, many of which were rentals. In February, a British Columbia landlord lost two properties to forfeiture after grow ops were discovered there.
The infrared detection service costs $75 a month, according to the report.
Privacy advocates are questioning the right of landlords to inspect properties using infrared technology, but as of yet, there are no specific prohibitions.
The RCMP recommends that landlords run tenant background checks, and perform regular properties inspections–every four or five weeks, to eliminate the risk of income loss from a grow op.
This post is provided by Tenant Verification Service, Inc., helping landlords reduce the risks of renting with fraud prevention tools that include Tenant Screening, Tenant Background Checks, (U.S. and Canada), as well as Criminal Background Checks, and Eviction Reports (U.S. only).
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.
