HOME BUYERS NEED BETTER PROTECTIONS
WITH LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA ON THE HORIZON
OREA releases recommendations to protect consumers against the risks involved
in purchasing a former grow-op
BRAMPTON, ON, April 9, 2018 – Growing marijuana in a home can pose significant health and safety issues for unsuspecting home buyers. With the legalization of marijuana looming, there are no rules in place to protect a home buyer from purchasing a former grow operation. In its Action Plan for Cannabis Legalization released today, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) is urging the Provincial Government to bring forward measures that will ensure home buyers are protected from the health and safety risks associated with former grow ops.
“The legalization of recreational marijuana in Ontario is going to have significant impacts on homes, as many people will choose to grow their own plants,” said Denise Dilbey, President of the Brampton Real Estate Board “Growing cannabis indoors often involves creating conditions that can lead to the formation of mold and fungus, which can have serious health risks for seniors and young children. Therefore, the long-term impact of legal marijuana cultivation on Ontario’s housing stock must be taken into consideration by policy makers.”
In its Action Plan, OREA proposes five policy changes to protect consumers from the risks involved in purchasing a former grow operation, including:
1. Designate illegal grow operations as unsafe under the Building Code Act.
2. Mandate that illegal cannabis operations are inspected by a municipal building official
3. Require municipalities to register remediation work orders on the title of a former grow operation.
4. Mandate that all licensed home inspectors receive training on how to spot the signs of a former marijuana grow operation.
5. Restrict the number of plants that a home owner can grow from four to one in units 1,000 square feet or smaller.
Legalization of marijuana in other jurisdictions, like Denver, Colorado, has led to a significant increase in cultivation inside private dwellings. Moreover, the RCMP does not believe that legalization will eliminate the involvement of organized crime in the cultivation and sale of illegal cannabis.
“Property owners often go to great lengths to hide the evidence of a former grow operation, making it difficult for Realtors, home inspectors and unsuspecting home buyers to detect,” said Denise Dilbey. “It is unlikely Ontario will introduce a law banning the cultivation of cannabis in homes if federal legislation permits it. However, the Provincial Government has the authority to enforce measures to ensure consumers are protected in the largest investment of their lives, and we urge them to exercise that authority.”
More information is available at, http://www.ProtectOntarioHomes.ca.
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ABOUT OREA
The Ontario Real Estate Association represents 70,000 brokers and salespeople who are members of the 38 real estate boards throughout the province. OREA serves its REALTOR® members through a wide variety of professional publications, educational programs, advocacy, and other services.
ABOUT BREB
The Brampton Real Estate Board (BREB) was formed in 1955 by a group of local real estate brokers who saw the need for standardization of practices and co-operation in the marketing of real estate. The BREB attained membership in the Ontario and Canadian Real Estate Associations and all Members adhere to a strict Code of Ethics established by the Canadian Association and by RECO, the Real Estate Council of Ontario. Today BREB has a membership of over 1,560 REALTOR® Members and is involved in all aspects of real estate.
CONTACT:
Denise Dilbey, President
The Brampton Real Estate Board
60 Gillingham Drive Suite 401
Brampton ON
L6X 0Z9
905-791-9913
info@breb.org
Brampton Real Estate Board 