As a veteran of the UK property investment community, we began building a portfolio of investment properties in the early 2000’s. This began with refurbs for exit via sale then led to buy to hold, often adding value by extending and developing.
However any landlord with at least a decade (or two in Tim’s case) of experience will usually have at least one story to tell which has been, shall we say, a challenge.
Just An Ordinary Street… Who Would Have Known?
2023 saw just such a challenge for a property Tim has owned since 2007. This 3-bed detached house with 2 reception rooms and large rear garden sits in a very quiet, tree-lined avenue in an average town in North Northamptonshire. Having been rented to the professional tenant for 3 years with an exemplary payment record, all communication suddenly ceased along with the monthly rent payments.
Mind Your Head – The Ceiling Is Coming Down
On gaining access to the property, it appeared the lead tenant had long since departed leaving access to what we might refer to as ‘other professionals’. In what appears to be a very short time period between inspections, this unremarkable property had been converted into an organised cannabis production facility.
All upstairs bedrooms had been converted for the growing of the plants with full ventilation systems cut into the ceilings. Adjustable heat lamps were hung from the ceiling and large, water vats sat in each room for the plant irrigation system. All windows had been sealed up and the property kept at a consistent 30 degrees. The unofficial occupants had conducted themselves in a polite and low-key manner with none of the immediate neighbours having any knowledge of what was taking place in their street.
It’s All Legal!
On reporting the matter to the police, the officer who attended advised that in fact, none of the equipment present was illegal to sell, buy or own and that anything with street value was already gone (or sold). This left Tim with the full responsibility for removing all items and of course, restoring the property for normal use once again.
Follow this blog for updates on the progress of the incredible transformation from cannabis den to high quality social housing.
#TenantsFromHell #BuyToLet #SocialHousing #LandlordAction #LegalPossession #SectionNotices #RefurbishmentProperty
