GROW OPERATIONS SOON TO BE COSTLY FOR LANDLORDS

Property owners will get the first chance to review a new bylaw aimed at
controlling grow operations and drug houses within the District of Hope.

A new bylaw, patterned after a bylaw recently enacted in Chilliwack, sees
landlords slapped with large fines and, in extreme cases, possible
imprisonment, if a drug operation is found on their property. A landlord
could also be required to cover the costs of the fire department and police
in dismantling the marijuana grow or crystal meth operation.

The bylaw has been under development for months, and has already being sent
to lawyers and the RCMP for their comments.

"Now we want to meet with property owners, and make sure they know their
obligations under the bylaw, and what their rights are" in accessing their
own property, says Mayor Gordon Poole, in a recent interview.

In combating drugs in the community, Poole says that a property owner has a
lot more rights than the District staff or the RCMP, in accessing a home,
so the onus has to be on the property owner, whether a local resident or
absentee landlord, to monitor their own buildings.

"He has the right to make sure tenants are not abusing his house," where
police need to go through the sometimes onerous search warrant process.

Under the newly proposed bylaw a landlord is expected to inspect his
property at least once every two months," said the mayor. "If a house is
busted for prohibited substances the landlord could be held liable and face
a fine of $1,000 to $10,000 - but only if he is shown not to have been
performing his duties under the bylaw." The home could also have its
occupancy permit revoked and for health reasons would have to be cleaned
and certified before a permit is reinstated.

A public open house to fully explain the proposed Controlled Substance
Property Bylaw has been set for 7 p.m., April 26, at the Hope Arena
Mezzanine. The RCMP will also be making a presentation regarding controlled
substances at the open house.