Lincolnshire police have recently revealed that in the past year, the force has located around 75 cannabis grows across the whole county.

A number of the grows were found in rental properties, and the police are now helping landlords spot the potential signs that their rental home is being used as a cannabis farm.

There is obvious concern about the negative effects that the use, supply and production of illegal drugs can have on our communities. However, cannabis grows set up in rental addresses often cause significant damage, including water leaks, modifications to electrics and even holes knocked through walls. Landlords are left to foot the bill for this repair.

It is well known that those involved in the production of drugs seek to distance themselves from their operation.

Inspector Claire Hime said: “We are asking owners of privately rented accommodation to carry out thorough checks of their properties on a regular basis. Landlords should also carry out official checks on any potential tenants. If anyone notices any suspicious activity they should contact us in the first instance.

“Landlords should carry out regular checks and look out for electrical wires that have been tampered with, blackened out windows and a sudden jump in electricity bills.”

The following advice will help to deter criminals from attempting to rent your property:

·         Ask for a form of photo identification of potential applicants.

·         Ensure identification has not been altered and is not fake. Make a copy or take a photograph of this identification.

·         Watch for telephone accounts in different names.

·         Check for water, gas and electricity accounts in different names.

·         Require more than one type of identification for joint applications.

·         Check prospective tenant’s current address and rental history.

·         Obtain any mobile phone numbers of prospective tenants.

·         Obtain car registration numbers.

Be aware that many drug criminals use a ‘Front Couple’. These people will appear to be a genuine average respectable couple seeking to rent a property for their own use. After they have been shown around the property by the landlord and take possession of the property they will disappear without trace. They will then be replaced by members of the drug gang who will then convert the property for drug production or cultivation. Consider re-visiting the property a few weeks later to ensure that the person you rented to is in fact the occupier.

Lincolnshire Police are experts in enforcing the Criminal Law. They are not authorities in Tenancy Laws. As such, if you have tenants involved in illegal activity, while you should inform the police, do not make the common, but inaccurate assumption that you can ‘let the police sort it out’.

You will get the best results from the police by providing any information you can for their criminal investigation.

To report a non-urgent crime or incident, call 101.