Topic: How do I handle a grow box inside one of my apartments?

The sewer backed up affecting three apartments. one of the units had a 5x5 grow box... freshly harvested, several lights and some kind of air conditioning. Do I:

• Charge for the electric usage and how much.
• Call the cops.
• Demand some tasty buds.
• Pretend I didn't see it.

Why not contact the police and ask them if the tenant is breaking any laws? Do your leases have addendums that speak to criminal or drug activity on/about the premises? Once you've got your information talk to someone in the company about how to proceed. But, and I'm only speaking for me, I'd be noting their lease end date and preparing the lease term letter or a 60 day - whatever is applicable.

This is a touchy subject.... Is the resident using it for medical reasons and are you in a state that recognizes medical marijuana? If you are, has the resident asked for reasonable accommodations under ADA to allow it? I am concluding NOT...

If your property is any form of affordable, then the solution is simple: get the residents out on a noncurable breach of contract as they are breaking FEDERAL law (it is the federal government that subsidizes the affordable programs and establishes those parameters, so you must follow Federal guidelines, even if the state guidelines are more lenient). Although the state may recognize medical uses, the FEDERAL government does not and your resident risks losing their assistance, and you risk losing your tax credits. Photograph the box and document the context under which it was discovered (in the routine of normal day to day duties, your maintenance team entered to address a repair issue and asked you to come in and see for yourself). Then consult your attorney.

If you are a conventional property, or your property is in a state that recognizes the medical uses, if the resident makes a reasonable accomodation request, which should be denied as it is not generally considered reasonable for a resident to ask an owner / property manager to be a party to the breaking of a federal law. Get your attorney involved.

In either case, document the discovery and the context under which it was found, inform your supervisor and ask your attorney for advice.

I would be curious to know if further investigation or documentation by law enforcement (an independent third party) is needed in this case.

Johnny gave some good information and just incase anyone wants other information then here is a link. So you want to be sure to read the portion about the federal law and about landlord restrictions! www.aamdhq.org/index.php?src=news&srctyp...the%20Lawyer&refno=6