How often do you check your property?

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12th April 2011

How often do you check your property?

Is your property being used as a drug farm? How often do you check your property? Is that enough?

There has been an increase in the number of claims made by landlords regarding cannabis farming. Insurer Aviva reports that claims have risen by 30%. A massive 92 claims were made in 2010 compared to 71 in 2009; the damage in properties was serious.

Holes knocked into ceilings and walls to support the lighting apparatus required to run a cannabis farm and even in some cases floorboards had been ripped up. Other damage included water damage from hydroponic installations, and fires caused by faulty wiring or overheating. Furniture had been destroyed or even thrown away to make more space for plants, wiring had been ripped out and electricity meters tampered with to stop them accurately recording the amount of electricity used.

These cannabis farms come with serious risks for landlords, your properties can be ruined inside whether it by water or fire.

However, there are simple ways to avoid your property being one of these disasters.

A rented property with several rooms and an absentee landlord are popular choices for cannabis farmers – and landlords should be wary of people who ask how often you will visit the property when renting their home.

Take the stress off your shoulders and let Martin & Co manage your property to make sure you don’t fall victim to cannabis farming. All Martin & Co offices run thorough checks on all tenants and also visit your property on regular occasions to ensure everything is as it should (providing you carry out a fully managed service). Inspections internally and externally are vital, on many cases you would never know cannabis farming was going on inside unless you checked inside the property.

Insurance companies are tightening up on claims caused by cannabis farming; a number of procedures must be carried out in order to lodge a successful claim. Written employers’ references and verified records of a bank account for new tenants must be obtained, as well as a log of property inspections.

Employing a letting agent to manage the tenant-vetting process and provide an inspection service on the landlord’s behalf is your safest bet. Insurers could refuse a claim if a landlord has been found to neglect their responsibilities. Is it really worth the risk?