Outing Ottawa Grow-Ops

Posted on February 4, 2008 
Filed Under Ottawa Today, Valerie Zinger

A really good thing is happening in Ottawa.  We finally have a police registry for grow-up locations.  You want to be happy with your new home and be a savvy buyer.  The following article is not to scare you but to caution you so that you can “smoke out” grow-op homes and use that information in your decision-making process. 

50 A Year.  There are marijuana grow operations and clandestine crystal meth labs being run in Ottawa homes.  Each year, the Ottawa Police Service uncovers approximately 50 of these operations.  Later these homes are sold, sometimes without the purchaser knowing the house’s history.

The Registry.  On February 1, 2008, the Ottawa Police Department began publishing a registry of addresses of former grow-ops and labs.  Three locations were cited on its first day.  Two of these locations were linked to Google maps so that the reader more accurately could determine the locations.

The Damage.  As a buyer, you need to be apprehensive about the former use of a house or condo as a grow-op or crystal meth lab.  Concerns fall into two categories - air quality and structural integrity.  For example, while the house is being used for the hydroponic growth of plants, the possibility of mould increases substantially.  Off-gas from a crytal meth lab may have long term implications for air quality as the chemicals saturate the building.  To access electricity illegally and extensively, the operator may have drilled through the foundation to access hydro and may also have rewired the house.  One assumes, of course, that that rewiring occurred without permits. 

See for yourself.  If you are interested in seeing what kind of damage can occur, Mike Holmes did an episode called Gone to Pot.  The photos from the house in question are available on Mike’s site.    

Assess the damage. Damages can be repaired.  What you, the buyer will want to know is the extent of the damage and the cost to remedy the situation.  If you continue to want to buy, your offer should reflect what you, your real estate sale professional and your contractor have determined as risks and costs. 

Where to see the list.  The Ottawa Police Service have a website with the registry and additional information and photos of grow-ups and crystal meth labs. 

Valerie Zinger

Ottawa Real Estate Today

Phone:  613-723-5300

Email:  vzinger@royallepage.ca

Comments

Leave a Reply