LITTLE SYMPATHY FOR GROW-OP LANDLORDS

Editor, the Times:

I have read the report concerning the targeting of illegal grow-ops
and find the statements of Mr. Kahlon a bit hollow (Times, June 16).

As a landlord he must accept responsibility for carefully screening
prospective tenants and had he done so he would not be facing the
legitimate costs relating to the activities of his tenants.

It is not the responsibility or duty of the city or the police
department to screen tenants - that is solely the duty of the property
owner or manager. Failure to do so results in the property owner
facing these costs and there is no reason for these costs to be passed
on to the general public.

Further, if property owners were genuinely interested in the safety of
the public and the protection of their families, children and other
relatives, they would take the appropriate action to screen any
prospective tenant before entering any rental agreement.

I have little sympathy for property owners who willingly rent or lease
property without taking the reasonable action of conducting a
background check.

That does not mean simply calling the person the prospective tenant
claims to have been his previous landlord as in most cases the
previous landlord would be more than pleased to get rid of a problem
tenant and would say nothing against his former tenant.

There are excellent firms that do proper background checks at a
reasonable cost and property owners who refuse to take that step have
no sympathy from me.

Further, if our mayor was doing his job and was genuinely interested
in this city he would take a similar stand rather than expressing his
sympathy.

Frank Wirrell

Abbotsford