We all know Mike Holmes - the guy with biceps the size of tires, who rights wrongs when it comes to home renovations. But at Marketplace, we team up with Mike tonight to tackle a growing (no pun intended) problem in Canada - homes that are used for marijuana grow-ops, then sold to unsuspecting buyers.The RCMP estimates there are thousands of houses being used for grow-ops today, often in quiet, suburban neighbourhoods where you'd least expect them. They're often quietly patched up - leaving new homeowners stuck with mold, structural and electrical issues.
Theresa Denton was happy with her house purchase near Kamloops, British Columbia, until she learned it'd been a grow-op for almost a decade. Today, she's facing a bill that could top $100,000 just to make her home safe to live in. Her walls are covered in mold, and her son's developed such a severe mold allergy, he has to take medication to help him breathe.
Denton - like other unsuspecting homeowners - hired a home inspector before she bought her house. But in his report, he makes no mention of mold all over the attic walls. "He had a flashlight," says Denton. "Either he's not telling the truth, or he's just completely incompetent."
It's a story Mike Holmes is hearing more and more - home inspectors who don't spot costly problems, especially when it comes to spotting grow-op warning signs. "I think we need to do something about the home inspection industry," says Holmes. "It's obvious that it's not working."
But in Canada, there are no requirements for home inspectors to get any training to spot grow-ops. In fact, what training is required to be a home inspector varies across the country. In most provinces, anyone can hang out a "home inspector" shingle, and if they give you bad advice, your only recourse is a lengthy and costly court case.
When we caught up with Theresa Denton's home inspector, he told us he wasn't responsible for Denton's nightmare, and his contract even says so.
Denton's now suing her home inspector, the former owner of the house, and her real estate agent. Sadly, the courts are full of cases like Denton's - homebuyers who thought a home inspection would protect them.
On Marketplace tonight, find out what happens when we ask four home inspectors to check out a former grow-op near Toronto. Marketplace airs tonight at 8:30 p.m. on CBC Television, 9 in Newfoundland.
Please don't post your "legalize Marijuana" garbage here again. You obviously have no clue about home construction, or the effects of a grow op on that construction.
Cannabis is less addictive and safer to use then coffee. Kids have easier access to cannabis then alcohol and tobacco because the latter two are regulated. It is less intoxicating then alcohol, and is the safer choice for many Canadians. It is time to regulate and tax this product, take the huge productions out of residential homes and put them where they belong, in industry. Create regulation for home growing for personal use, proper electricity/ventilation. Growing plants in your house is not what creates the damage, its the need of secrecy, lack of regulation and lack of proper procedures that makes damage. Furthermore, most people would grow their own outdoors where cannabis really belongs. We can all fix this mess we have created, but we must think critically about the entire picture.
I agree with Catherine's comments of Jan. 8th, 2010! However let's not forget your dealing with people & sadly but surely you will find people who care more about the all mighty dollar 1st. The real problem is there is always someone, know matter what profession who will take advantage of another human bean. Let's not forget why we had our recent recession, taking advantage of others in business was the engine driving the economy down. "Remember the word - Ponzi! In anycase though it's it's important for one to educate themselves before making a decision, do your best to learn about the other person before you make your decison, don't base your decision to hire a contractor or Home Inspector on price, research, ask lots of questions to get a comfortable feel for the person's overall character. Are you dealing with a person of Integrity who doesn't just care about a fast buck???
Theresa
Indentifying a home with issues is not what I'm talking about. I empathize if you have problems with your current home and hope you get the expetise or assistance you need. As a contractor, who has built homes and done many renovations, if I have a trade in to give me a quote and they start to criticize the work of someone else, either to suggest if may affect the quality of their work, or in an attempt to make themselves look better, I immediately thank them for their time, but would never use them. I don't like that approach. I like people to shine on their own merit. I take objection to those who trash other others to make themselves look good. Putting a negative spin on a whole profession, when there are good and bad people in every walk of life is stereotyping and provided Mr. Holmes with a great forum to promote his own Home Inspection company, since he thinks no one else can do it as good as he can - with no qualifications. These programs are very staged. That's what I have an issue with.
As an inspector I was taken aback by the lack of competence of the 5 inspectors! However lets not tar all inspectors with the same brush. As with any other trade or profession their are good and bad, we see it with lawyers and doctors as examples. Licencing will not fix incompetence only regulate it.
As for the association OAHI it is a self regulating body overseen by home inspectors, its operations and accountability are in dire straits. The membership is calling for the head of Mr. Gogal given his cavalier attitude about the problem.
The researches of this show should have dug deeper because the association quoted is also having other problems which have influenced its operational and governance abilities.
In Response to Catherine:
You and your ignorant opinions are what is shameful. Would you like to live in and/or fix my home??? You think it's "easy"?? Good luck
There were some valid points in tonights show, however, I know from personal experience at least 3 home inspectors that would have caught the issues that Mike found. A home that was previsously a grow op has to be disclosed by the seller; however most of the time they are criminals. So, as with any purchase, Buyers need to be prudent. The best thing is to know and trust their REALTOR and to get at least 3 names of inspectors.
If mould is found and the buyer still wants to pursue the purchase the next step would be to have a mould abatement company inspect the home before deciding to purchase the home.
Most police forces post the known grow ops on their websites that include the number of plants found - something the purchaser or your REALTOR can check.
REALTORs are also trained to know the tell-tale signs and our ethically and legally bound to disclose this information if we know that the house was a grow op - it is a stigma that is carried forward FOREVER with the home.
I would have liked to see some additional opinions than just Mike Holmes. A bit one sided.
Sincerely, Ruth Bowes
Why aren't the sellers/real estate agents, those who authenticate the purchase, even the mortgage companies held to the fire?
The problem continues until the fear of selling a former grow op home is sufficient enough to put the fear of the consequence being the priority.
One doesn't put their finger in a live electrical socket for fear of the consequence. We need the consequences such like...
MR B.
BC is the first province in Canada, along with a few US states, to have standards and licencing for home inspectors. Teresa Denton's inspection was done prior to the BC licencing requirments being in place. Dave Mahoney is not currently licenced as a home inspector in BC.
There is no requirement for grow op identification training - nor is there any specific training available. Training is available for specific indicators that may lead one to beleive there was a grow op - but purchasers/owners do not want that opinion stated either, as they are then required to disclose it on the future sale of the house, as well as onerous clean up and inspection requirements.
I have used a home inspector in two different provinces. Both missed things that ended up being rather costly to us.I will never use one again until there is something in place that makes them to be accountable.Given the ability and accountability of these individuals,I believe could do a better job myself. Might I suggest with regards to known grow op houses, such houses be registered with Land Titles in the various provinces.Upon title search by the lawyer or potential buyer, this information could be made available to them thus help to prevent potential problems.An owner of a grow op home could than have an opportunity to prove adequate repair, to potential buyers.
What about those who are legally entitled to cultivate marijuana in their homes for medical purposes? Understandably, those who often grow illegally show no concern for damaging property. But not all cases are the same. Someone who owns their own home and cultivates for medical purposes should not be condemned. They often take all precautions required to ensure that there isn't any threat posed to themselves or their families. There are people who cultivate safely and responsibly but somehow there is tremendous ignorance surrounding this topic. Because of this type of ignorance, my insurance company now refuses to insure my home unless I remove my plants. Yes, I do possess a Health Canada permit to cultivate. I was not given a specific reason from the insurance company. I have also been very co-operative with anyone wishing to perform any types of inspections to ensure that my operation is safe. I have had the fire and police department come in to see and no issues were noted. There is no evidence of any type of mold issue in my home. As a matter of fact I need to use a humidifier to add moisture in the air in my home for my childrens sake because of it being so dry. Anyone performing any type of inspection of my plants; comment that it is a surprisingly well-controlled environment. Is it just the stigma of marijuana being an illegal substance. People with many house plants, do not get condemned or refused insurance coverage. The insurance company has had knowledge of my license to cultivate for over two years and have come to visit my home to conduct an inspection and now months later have an issue with this. It is unfortunate that your program on this subject is so biased as it only shows a one-sided type of judgement and opinion. As a result, it penalizes people who are ill and just trying to cope with serious ailments by medicating themselves with marijuana and try to stay away from petrol chemicals (prescription drugs that are so proudly endorsed and promoted). My wife and I try to educate ourselves on all aspects (my wife by the way is a scientist) before passing any kind of poor judgement based on a lack of proper facts. It's unfortunate that the program lacks in providing complete facts and portrays a very narrow-minded view.
do you think maybe because the government doesn't regulate home inspectors that this has provided Mike Holmes an opportunity to profit from starting his own Home Inspection business? I'm sure you've researched this fact. In fact, I don't think he has any Provincial or Canadian credentials as a Home Inspector. One thing is for sure, I'm so tired that he continues to air shows that put down other trades to make himself looks good. We could all do that. Fixing things is easy. How about you do a show with reliable home inspectors? I don't see you airing shows on one profession trashing another profession like you're doing her. It's shameful.
do you think maybe because the government doesn't regulate home inspectors that this has provided Mike Holmes an opportunity to profit from starting his own Home Inspection business? I'm sure you've researched this fact. In fact, I don't think he has any Provincial or Canadian credentials as a Home Inspector. One thing is for sure, I'm so tired that he continues to air shows that put down other trades to make himself looks good. We could all do that. Fixing things is easy. How about you do a show with reliable home inspectors? I don't see you airing shows on one profession trashing another profession like you're doing her. It's shameful.