Drug Lab in Basement - Landlord Forum thread

Drug Lab in Basement by Stan (WI) on July 9, 2012 @13:28

So I did a routine inspection of the AC/furnace/water heater, etc. this weekend and I go down to the basement and there, clear as day is a drug lab. I used to dabble in all this, so I know clear as day what it is.

I call the tenant since he wasn't home when I did the inspection (I did give him a week's notice, he confirmed what time I was coming to do the inspections, so it was a legal entry) and he just started talking about how much he enjoys Chemistry! Really? He says he knows it looks like a drug lab, but it's not. He claims if it was, he would've hid it, knowing I would be around. He had nothing to hide, however, according to him.

Look... I know a drug lab when I see and smell one. This is a drug lab. Pure and simple. Do I just call the cops? Do I just evict him? What's my best course of action, legal or eviction?

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Re: Drug Lab in Basement by Anonymous on July 9, 2012 @13:36	[ Reply ]

Even if he enjoys chemistry, do you really want a tenant in your rental who could accidentally make explosives etc? Did it smell of ammonia or any other tell-tale signs of what he's making? Post a 3-day Cure or Quit and follow up with filing eviction paperwork. If the cops saw it, they'd probably think it was a drug lab. The tenant is not authorized to use the basement as a chem lab, yes? If the tenant Cures the problem, do frequent inspections.

P.S.

Re: P.S.

Re: no

Re: Drug Lab in Basement

Re: Drug Lab in Basement by Anonymous on July 9, 2012 @20:33	[ Reply ]

Why not just have a private one-on-one conversation with the guy in-person and let him know that you're well acquainted with the business and that if he is willing to vacate quickly and orderly, you'll forget he ever existed? I doubt he wants to get caught and if he thinks about his options and isn't stupid, he'd take the get out of jail free card you're handing him. If he goes for it, I'd ask for a written request from him to terminate the lease early and respond with written approval with whatever terms are appropriate. He moves and the landlord moves on hopefully without incident.

Re: Drug Lab in Basement