Marijuana Grow Houses - Red Flags

Identifying a Former Grow House:

• Mould in corners where the walls and ceilings meet
• Painted concrete floors in the basement, with circular marks of where pots once were
• Evidence of tampering with the electric meter or the ground around it
• Indications of windows and doors having been sealed
• Unusual or modified wiring on the exterior of the house
• Brownish stains around the soffit that bleed down along the siding
• Concrete masonry patches, or alterations on the inside of the garage
• Patterns of screwholes on the walls
• Alteration of fire places
• Denting on front doors (from police ramming the door)

Identifying Potential Grow House Operators (Purchasers):

• Third party purchasers
• Questionable income sources
• No contract negotiation
• Offers to pay in large amounts of cash; multiple cash transactions
• Multiple down payments on behalf of one individual
• Secretiveness and no reasonable explanations

Identifying Potential Grow House Operators (Renters):

• Did the renter check out every room?
• Did the renter provide proper identification?
• Have references been provided and do they check out?
• Did the renter spend a lot of time viewing the breaker boxes, wiring and plumbing?

Contacts for More Information:

Contact your local police department for more information or specific concerns

(Source: Compiled with information from the Canadian Real Estate Association and chrismathers inc. crime and risk consulting)