Buying a house is complicated enough without the very real chance of buying a grow op house. A grow op house can come with structural problems and mould caused by long-term moisture, to say nothing of the danger of being attacked by criminals who think it's still a grow up. Think that former grow-op is a deal? think again.

Until recently there was no way to find out if a property had been a grow op or former drug lab. But the RCMP has introduced a national website that lists addresses where drug lab and grow op busts took place. It also tells how many marijuana plants were found on the property or what kind of drug was being manufactured. Each listing is on the site for a year.

The website is a welcome resource for home buyers and agents, because even a luxury home in a good neighbourhood can be used as a grow op house. Gary Morse, president of the Canadian Real Estate Association says:

Grow ops have become a major concern for homebuyers and REALTORS® across the country. REALTORS® are committed to protecting the interests of our clients and believe that buyers should be able to determine whether a house for sale has housed a grow op in the past. The structural integrity and inhabitability of such houses may be compromised and prospective buyers need to know that costly remediation may be needed to correct health and safety issues.

In BC, Surrey, Burnaby and Prince George show the most grow op activity, but the website does not cover municipalities that have their own police force. That means former grow ops and drug labs in Abbotsford, Delta, New Westminster, Port Moody, Vancouver and West Vancouver do not appear on the list unless there was some RCMP involvement.

Grow ops have become a major concern for homebuyers and REALTORS® across the country. REALTORS® are committed to protecting the interests of our clients and believe that buyers should be able to determine whether a house for sale has housed a grow op in the past. The structural integrity and inhabitability of such houses may be compromised and prospective buyers need to know that costly remediation may be needed to correct health and safety issues.