Province wide standards are being proposed so that Albertans do not get harmed by unknowingly buying or renting homes that were formerly used as marijuana growing operations.
The new guidelines which are being proposed by the Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA) would set uniform remediation standards such that properties across Alberta. It would require that sellers of such homes disclose whether they have any history as a grow op, even after it has been restored.
This is strictly for consumer protections.
These proposed guidelines are based on work by a team of researchers from the University of Calgary. The association is planning to present these guidelines to the provincial and municipal affairs ministries this fall to be considered.
As of now, there are currently no consistent standard for what constitutes as a satisfactory remediation for former grow op houses.
Every municipality goes about approaching former grow ops and how they should be remediated; it is variable across the province and across Canada.
There are differences in opinion as to what constitute as proper remediation of these types of homes, where some requirements go too far or not enough.
The typical problems you will find in a former grow op would be toxic moulds from the damp conditions, structural damage from holes being drilled in exterior walls, and much more. Mould problems arise from burst water pipes due to lack of heat during the winter.
A public health inspector issues orders condemning grow ops as unfit for human habitation, and the orders placed are not lifted until “adequate” remediation work is completed. You also have to consider that these condemned houses can be sold to a buyer who thinks they can fix it up cheaply.
Remediation costs generally between $25,000 – $30,000, and you are required to do an air quality test.
With the proposed guidelines, it will include requirements so that sellers are legally required to indicate on their sales contract whether homes have been previously used as grow ops.
Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com
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