Reporting Grow-Op Houses In Toronto
Grow-ops don’t seem to discriminate – a massive multi-million dollar operation was found on the rooftop of a Greater Toronto Area condominium just recently. Even luxury homes are at stake with grow-ops.
However, there are several signs a neighbourhood home might be a grow-op:
- A patch on the roof in the winter that is free of snow, as if it’s so warm the snow melts right off once it touches it. This can be a sign of significant heat and humidity inside, which is vented from the growing area to the roof. Also, numerous vents may be visible venting hot, wet air out of the home.
- Foggy windows due to excessive condensation building up inside of the home from the humidity.
- Props like a “beware of dog” sign and no dog, or children’s toys scattered around the yard but no kids around.
- Windows covered in tinfoil, plastic or blinds that never open.
The majority of grow-ops go unreported and people running grow-ops take strict measures to make sure their homes go undetected, like rewiring the home, tapping into other people’s hydro, making the house humid and others. These homes are hazardous for future residents to live in.
In some cases, homes are discovered by police and the public is made aware of the former grow-op, but unfortunately most of them are unreported and unsuspecting home buyers purchase these homes, putting themselves at risk of toxic black mold infestations and fires due to hasty wiring jobs.
Getting a home inspection before buying any home can also help home buyers avoid these consequences. If you notice the telltale signs in a neighbour’s home, you can anonymously report the house to Crimestoppers.
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