WAS YOUR HOUSE A HOME GROW?

Province Eyes Rules To Track History Of Restored Grow-Ops

Homeowners have a right to know whether their house has ever been used
as a marijuana grow-op and the province is looking at ways to make
that happen, Attorney General Michael Bryant said yesterday.

Ontario has focused on shutting down active grow-operations, he said,
but is now looking at how to single out homes or apartments that have
a history as grow-ops.

The province is looking at ways to impose renovation standards on
homes used as grow-ops, as well as possibly creating a registry so
homeowners have all the information before they buy, Bryant said
before attending a cabinet meeting in Hamilton.

"Consumers should absolutely know what they're getting when they buy
something,'' he said.

Bryant noted the plan is complicated by the fact that it involves
"multiple ministries," but said "the government is taking a close look
at this.''

Humidity levels in grow-ops often lead to serious mould problems, and
wiring can be faulty because circuits are tampered with as growers
bypass meters measuring power consumption.

Holes are also often cut in walls and floors to run venting ducts and
power cables.

In Waterloo Region, at least eight homes have been ordered forfeited
since legal changes in 2001 made it easier to seize grow-op properties.

Two other homes were seized but returned to their owners under deals
made with prosecutors.

Before a former grow-op can be listed on the real estate market,
repairs must be completed. Realtors are also instructed to disclose a
property's history to prospective buyers, even though that usually
lowers the selling price.

Proceeds from the sale of such a property are split between the
federal and provincial governments.

Conservative Tim Hudak said the governing Liberals have to take action
in this area. There are rules forcing homeowners to disclose the kind
of insulation used in a house, but no similar rules for homes or
apartments that have been used as grow-ops, he said.

"Consumer protection in this modern age should involve informing
potential homeowners of what their home was used for previously,''
Hudak said. "It's information that's necessary in a home purchase.''

Conservative Leader John Tory has called for a grow-op registry and
demanded the province compensate tenants of a high-rise apartment
building that was found in November to be used for large scale
marijuana production.

If such buildings are unsafe -- either because of electrical fallout
or mould resulting from the grow-op -- Tory said the province should
help people move.

But New Democrat Peter Kormos said the province should focus less on
creating a registry and more on beefing up policing and giving
officers the resources they need to shut down grow-ops.

It's pretty hard to hide a grow-operation these days, Kormos said,
adding that a smart homeowner will check into the history of a
property before closing the deal.

"You don't need a registry,'' he said. "You just need informed
consumers.''