When drug users, dealers, or manufacturers live in or operate out of rental properties, neighborhoods suffer - and landlords pay a high price. If the house has been used as a meth manufacturing lab, the decontamination cost alone is high, averaging $6,500 for a 1200-square-foot home.
But there are also other heavy costs that a landlord can incur as a result of meth activity on the premises.
But there are also other heavy costs that a landlord can incur as a result of meth activity on the premises.
How tenants' meth use affects rental properties and landlords:
- Methamphetamine attracts criminal activity - gang-related activities such as vandalism and violence
- Property values decline, particularly once the activity causes the neighborhood to get a bad reputation
- Property damage results from tenant abuse and neglect, from retaliation, from fire, or from police raids
- Civil penalties can be imposed, including the forced temporary closure or even seizure of the property
- Rental income is lost during the eviction and repair periods
- Good tenants may move out because of meth-related problems, resulting in lost rental income
- Feelings of resentment and anger harm relationships between neighbors and property managers
- Having to deal with dangerous and threatening tenants engenders fear and frustration
Signs of meth activity at a rental house:
Landlords may observe behavior in tenants that indicates possible meth or other drug use and, perhaps, drug dealing:
- Failure to pay rent or utility bills
- Failure to maintain the house in good condition
Vehicular traffic and automobiles
- Expensive vehicles that seem out of place for the area
- Regular car switching, especially at odd hours:
people arrive in one car and leave in another - Vehicles stopping for short stays - less than 20 minutes
- Frequent late-night deliveries
- Significant increase in vehicular traffic
- Suspicious vehicles: clean license plates on a dirty car, damage consistent with the car being stolen vehicle
Foot traffic
- People parking away from the premises and walking in
- Unkempt, disoriented visitors or neighbors
- People carrying in tools, electronics, or other items that may be used to sell or trade for drugs
Change in property conditions
- Accumulations of trash or junk
- Deterioration of the premises or grounds
- Dismantling of vehicles or machinery (often the high gives meth users the energy to start projects, but they lack the ability to concentrate enough to finish them)
Occupants' appearance and behavior
- Unkempt, dirty appearance
- Children show signs of abuse or neglect
- Pets are unattended, neglected
- Occupant is awake for days at a time
- Occupant sleeps for days at a time
- There is frequent partying in the home
- There are many young visitors, even when the occupants do not have children in the same age group as the visitors
Surroundings
- Increased crime in the neighborhood, especially crimes of opportunity such as vehicle thefts and burglaries
- Other neighbors exhibiting unusual behavior - hanging out at the drug house or defending the occupants, for example
Steps you can take to prevent meth at your property:
- Show tenants that you are partnering with Partnership Carson City by displaying our decals
- Conduct background checks on tenants. Check references, credit histories, and, if you have the necessary approval, criminal background
- Inspect your property regularly
- Encourage tenants and others in the community to be aware of suspicious individuals and activities
- Encourage nearby residents to alert you to any concerns that they have