LANDLORDS BE WARNED, GROW-OPS ARE BAD NEWS

In the City of Courtenay landlords might face hefty bills to make sure
their rental residences meet code after a marijuana grow-op, or other
illicit drug making facility, is found on their property.

On Monday, council passed the controlled substance bylaw giving them the
power to immediately send in inspectors to assess any damage to the rental
unit.

Director of Development Services Dave Slobodan said the bylaw goes beyond
their previous authority where inspectors had to have reasonable concern
before going in.

"Now inspectors will be called right away and they can make an assessment
before any clean up has begun," he said. "They will then be going back
during and after clean up."

The city maintains records of who the owners of each property are so it
will be easy for the RCMP officers to track them down, he said.

According to the bylaw, inspections costs start at $400 with each following
inspection set at $300. The costs for an occupancy permit, needed before
the property can be re-rented, is set at $250.

Additional costs to the landlord include turning off and on water, hydro
and natural gas, as well as costs incurred by the RCMP and the Courtenay
Fire Department.

RCMP Const. Dean Maxwell said there is no doubt the RCMP will submit
invoices to collect for the type of costs outside their normal policing duties.

He said they could recover costs associated with the take down,
transportation, storage and disposal of equipment, substances, materials
and other paraphernalia.

Police costs could very easily climb to $5,000, he said.