Could You Spot the Signs of a Cannabis Farm at Your Rental?

New figures from insurance firm Zurich have shed light on the rising problem of cannabis farms in rented properties.

Discovering that your rental has been turned into a cannabis farm is every landlord’s nightmare.

Thankfully, such cases are still quite rare (about 640 cannabis farm fires have been recorded nationally since 2019).

However, new research by Zurich shows they are becoming more common.

In 2015, fire and rescue services in the UK attended 17 suspected or identified cannabis farms. In 2024, it was 54. This represents a 218% hike.

Key concerns

Aside from the obvious legal issues, cannabis farms are notorious fire safety hazards.

Growers rely on high-intensity lighting 24/7 to keep their crops growing. But to avoid hefty power bills, they tamper with the electrics to bypass the grid. (They also do this to avoid arousing suspicion, as abnormally high-power usage is a red flag for energy providers.)

This combination of heavy power usage and dodgy electrics is a recipe for disaster.

But Stewart Powell, Regional Major Loss Lead for Zurich UK, says there are other issues to consider, too.

"Fire is often only one part of a much larger problem,” he says. “We've seen claims involving dangerous electrical alterations, extensive water damage from irrigation systems, widespread damp and mould, and significant structural changes made to conceal growing operations.

"By the time a property is recovered, landlords can be left facing months of disruption, substantial reinstatement work and repair bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds before a building can be safely occupied again."

Protect your property

While it may seem far-fetched to think your property could ever be hijacked for such a purpose, it’s worth noting the signs to look out for.

These include blacked-out windows, round-the-clock lighting and OTT security measures such as deadbolts and excessive alarms.

You may also find the tenant eager to avoid the usual ID checks and push back on inspections. As a sweetener, they may offer to pay several months’ rent up front.

The importance of inspections

Inspections are a great way to ensure your property isn’t being used for illegal purposes (which is why most insurers require them to keep coverage valid).

They also give you a chance to get to know your tenants and spot any repairs that need to be done.

You need to be mindful of the law on inspections; you must give tenants at least 24 hours’ notice.

If your busy schedule makes it hard to commit to regular inspections, call us today. Our property management services provide busy landlords with eyes on the ground and peace of mind.