COPS WILL CHARGE LANDLORDS FOR POT OPERATION COSTS

Landlords, pay attention.

As of next week, the city will bill landlords for police costs and other
restoration expenses stemming from marijuana growing operations found in
their buildings.

The controlled substance property bylaw will encourage landlords to keep a
closer eye on activities in their rental properties, said Grant Acheson,
acting director of developmental services.

"I think landlords, knowing that they'll be faced with the added costs,
will take an increased role in the management of their buildings," he said.

This may mean absentee landlords will make better use of property
management companies, or learn to drop by more often.

Once a place has been found to contain pot cultivation, the landlord will
have to pay a $400 inspection fee and any costs to ensure the building is
brought back to inhabitable standards, Acheson said. Only after the
building has passed inspection can it be rented again.

Additional fees may also have to be paid to the provincial safety branch
for electrical and gas inspection.

If the landlord doesn't pay, the bill will be added to his or her property
taxes, Acheson said.

He added that most landlords do pay attention to what's going on at their
properties.

"It's not willful negligence, it's a lack of concern about the conditions
of their buildings. Some of these tenants can be pretty tricky. They're
professionals and landlords can be deceived," he said.

A similar bylaw enforced last year in Surrey seems to be deterring growing
operations there and the city has recovered $45,000, he said.

Until now Abbotsford had no way of recouping the extra policing costs
incurred from dismantling equipment, removal, storage and disposal of
substances from pot operations.

Pot houses can be found anywhere in Abbotsford, but predominantly in rental
homes in residential neighbourhoods. In 2000 there were 233 growubg
operation investigations, resulting in 194 property searches.

There are also safety issues to consider, among them fire and electric
shock hazards from electrical systems that are tampered with or overloaded,
"a characteristic of virtually all grow operations," Acheson said.

Alterations to electrical and gas service, plumbing and air venting systems
and building structure all pose hazards to neighbours and the community,
Acheson said in his report to the executive council.