LANDLORD FEELS 'VIOLATED,' CALLING FOR STRICTER BYLAWS FOR GROW-OP RENTERS

An Abbotsford resident said he feels violated and unprotected after
discovering a renter used one of his properties for a marijuana
grow-op - leaving him to clean up the mess and foot the bill.

Sukhvinder Kahlon, a local berry farmer, believes better bylaws need
to be implemented to protect landlords and hold criminals
accountable.

After police raided the home at 33848 Marshall Rd. at the end of
March, Kahlon received a bill for $2,300 in policing fees, which he
feels he shouldn't have to pay.

He said he also has to cover another $6,200 in expenses ranging from
restoration to builder inspection fees.

"The property owners are the victims of grow-ops," said Kahlon, who
presented his case to council on Monday afternoon.

"It's guilt by association."

Kahlon said he will pay the bill, but still wants a bylaw in place
where landlords only have to pay if they are found guilty in
connection to the grow-op. Otherwise, the tenants should pay the fees.

Kahlon said he tried contacting the tenants, but they never responded.
He's still unclear whether they were arrested.

He also suggested a registry listing the names of those who have been
busted in grow-ops, providing landlords with a better way to check
their tenants.

In this case, Kahlon had the tenants fill out an application form
before moving in last February.

"You can only do so much due diligence," he said. "At one time a
handshake deal with people would be good enough, when people were
honest and decent. But these guys are smarter than us - they put the
time and work in and they know the system better than us."

Following the raid, Kahlon walked through the house to see the
condition it was in, which included unsafe electrical wiring and
circuits added without a permit.

"I felt violated," he said.

"It's a trust you put into people, if you're renting it for people to
live in. It really hurts you and your pride."

While Kahlon has heard of landlords doing criminal checks, he's
worried that it will scare people away, as there are still plenty of
good renters out there.

"It's always the luck of the draw with what kind of tenants they will
be."

The rising number of grow-ops in Abbotsford has caused many to get out
of the rental business, said Kahlon.

He adds that he would like to get out as well, but can't simply walk
away from his properties.

For now, Kahlon is taking this as a "rough" educational curve, and
hopes it will prevent other landlords from the same experience.