POT-HOME FEES RILE LANDLORDS

The head of the group representing B.C. landlords is slamming new fees
levied at Vancouver landlords whose tenants set up marijuana grow
operations.

The fees -- about $510 to re-inspect properties damaged by grow-ops and to
reconnect services -- are part of an initiative by Vancouver police and city
hall to punish landlords who don't monitor their buildings.

But Al Kemp of the Apartment Owners and Property Managers Association of
B.C. said the fees are "salt in the wound" for landlords already stuck with
huge bills to repair properties damaged by grow-ops.

"I vehemently disagree with it," Kemp said last night. "We certainly don't
feel we should be stuck with added taxes.

"This should not become a cash grab for the city."

Landlords are being targeted in an attempt to shut down the estimated 4,000
marijuana grow operations functioning in the city at any moment.

"We're trying to get them to understand that this is coming out of their
pockets," said Insp. Val Harrison of the Vancouver police.

Under the initiative, also supported by B.C. Hydro, once a grow-op is
busted, power and services to the property will be automatically shut off.

Reconnection will only occur once the landlord has proven the house is
habitable and paid for an inspection. Kemp said his group has no sympathy
for the tiny percentage of landlords who don't monitor their properties.

But he said it can be difficult for responsible landlords to inspect their
properties. Under the Residential Tenancy Act landlords can only inspect a
few times a year and must give 24 hours' notice.

Those restrictions allow criminals to operate nearly unimpeded, he said.

Money generated from the fees should cover the salaries of five inspectors
the city will hire.

Chris Taulu, of the Collingwood community policing centre, said the
initiative is welcome news to neighbours worried about organized crime's
role in the marijuana business.

"We have to do something," she said. "My aim is to drive them out of my
area."

Coun. Sam Sullivan is worried the initiative is another battle in a losing
war on drugs -- driving up the price of marijuana and weeding out lesser
players.

So far this year, police have busted more than 190 grow operations--
compared to 120 this time last year.

Harrison said a house busted yesterday was typical of the homes officers are
seeing -- both floors were empty -- except for 93 marijuana plants soaking
up stolen light and heat and canisters of carbon dioxide.

Officers found a few mattresses where a grower might spend the occasional
night, some children's books, a television, VCR and heaps of Vietnamese
videos.

Police are under no illusions about ending demand for marijuana. "We're
hoping that we can send a strong message and (the growers) will start
looking elsewhere," Harrison said.

And I don't think police have got the answer," said Harrison.

"We're hoping that we can send a strong message and (the growers) will start
looking elsewhere."