Pubdate: Sat, 04 Feb 2006
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

HELP OFFERED TO FIX HOMES USED FOR DRUGS

Standards Needed To Repair Houses Used To Produce Pot, Crystal Meth, CMHC Says

Canada's leading home-mortgage insurer will soon offer advice for 
fixing houses that were once used as marijuana-growing operations and 
meth labs.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. has conducted research into how 
houses with growing operations are affected by drug production, and 
should be releasing its findings later this year.

Marie Dyck, senior fraud advisor for CMHC, told an audience of 
lenders, brokers and real estate agents in Saskatoon on Friday that 
there are currently no standards in place on how to properly 
rehabilitate such a house.

"The lenders were asking us, 'What do I do? How do I make this house 
safe? What is necessary?' " Dyck said.

She gave an example of a Canadian family that bought a home and 
noticed their pictures wouldn't stay up when they hung them on the 
walls because the walls were too "mushy."

The homeowners peeled away the new paint and wallpaper and found 
layers of mould.

After knocking on neighbours' doors, the homeowners discovered that 
their house was raided by police shortly before they bought it.

Dyck said the people who purchased the home had their young son 
sleeping in the room where the marijuana nursery had been.

"This is a serious issue across the country," said corporation 
spokesman Denys Chamberland.

Chamberland said the corporation now has a step-by-step guide for 
home buyers which suggests what professionals, including inspectors, 
are available to help in the purchase.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom