PROPERTY OWNERS ON THE HOOK FOR POST GROW-OP INSPECTION FEES

Drug squads have made it clear in recent months that residential
marijuana-grow-operations are flourishing in the Lower Mainland. From the
region's poorest corners to its toniest suburban enclaves, this criminally
organized problem is widespread and indiscriminate.

Busting these grow-ops and mopping up the post-bust mess is a costly
business. Surprisingly, the actual police cost of a bust -- estimated at
$1,700 -- pales in comparison to the tax dollars required to deploy squads
of city and municipal inspectors to these residential properties, most of
them rentals, to ensure they are restored to a city's health, fire and
safety standards.

To recoup these growing costs, more and more city and municipal councils
are pushing through bylaws that enable them to pursue the landlords who
rent to those bent on cultivating bud as an illegal revenue generator.

Surrey -- arguably the most aggressive grow-busting city in the Lower
Mainland -- was the first: It passed a 2001 bylaw targeting landlords who
neglect or ignore their properties. To date, that city has recovered
$700,000 in police costs.

The City of North Vancouver is now considering a similar regulation. Under
the proposed bylaw, a property owner would have to shell out $1,000 for
post-bust inspection fees and face fines of up to $5,000, depending on the
city's incurred costs.

City of North Vancouver Mayor Barb Sharp says proceeds-of-crime legislation
allows police to seize purpose-bought grow-properties and related
equipment. But proceeds from those seized assets go to provincial or
federal coffers, and the law doesn't address the larger problem of rented
grow-ops and the city-tax-funded clean-up.

Landlords, she says, must be held accountable for their tenants. Too true.
Owning a rental property is no different from owning any other business.
And every business owner has a legal and moral obligation to ensure his or
her operation conforms to law.

Most cities in Greater Vancouver have introduced similar drug- landlord
bylaws. The rest are considering them. It's a cost-recovery program that
targets those who, ultimately, must be held accountable for this property
crime.