Norfolk couple left with £30,000 in damage after tenants turn home into cannabis factory

A Haddiscoe, Norfolk couple say their rented home was turned into a cannabis factory by tenants, resulting in about £30,000 in damage. James Reid, 68, and his wife Susan, 65, say they regained access to the three-bedroom, 1970s detached house in April 2024 after police raids found cannabis-production equipment but no drugs. The couple had hoped the rental income would boost their pension after moving to their daughter's home near Saffron Walden in 2018 and renting out the Haddiscoe property in June 2023.

When the Reids entered the house again, they found walls knocked down and large holes drilled in the floor to install equipment for growing cannabis. Norfolk Police said no drugs were found, but cannabis-growing equipment was present. Two people were arrested on suspicion of cultivation in connection with the property, but the case was closed after the Crown Prosecution Service said the evidential threshold had not been met. Officers encouraged anyone with concerns about criminal activity in a property to report it.

The Reids hired Howards Estate and Letting Agents to find tenants and manage the rental. The tenancy was arranged through a firm that used HomeLet to provide references for the company involved. After several late and missed rental payments, the couple sought an inspection of the property. Howards said it attempted to arrange visits, but the tenants repeatedly refused access, and, as they could not legally enter without consent, the agent defended its conduct as appropriate. The Property Ombudsman later ordered Howards to pay £300 in compensation to the Reids, citing clearer communication about tenant referencing and an incident when a contractor misplaced the property keys.

The National Residential Landlords Association has highlighted tenant referencing as a key shield against properties being used as drug factories. Meera Chindooroy, the association’s deputy director for campaigns, said cannabis factories are a growing problem and warned that landlords face costly risks if red flags are missed or regular property inspections are not conducted. "This can be a really expensive risk for landlords if they are not on top of the potential red flags and are not doing regular property inspections," she said.

Howards acknowledged that its communication with the landlord could have been clearer regarding checks carried out on the renting company and that it acted as an intermediary between tenant and landlord. A spokesperson for HomeLet said its referencing service offers recommendations to help landlords and letting agents, but it does not decide who can rent or be involved in the final outcome.

The Reids, who describe themselves as disappointed and devastated by the damage, said the incident underscored the risks of renting out property. James Reid called the damage "horrendous" and said the home had been devalued by the actions of the tenants. The couple warned other landlords to carry out robust checks and regular inspections to reduce the chances of their properties being converted into drug-production sites. Norfolk Police stressed that residents should report suspicious activity and that authorities remain vigilant against properties being used for illicit drug production. The case illustrates the ongoing tension between landlords seeking a safe, legitimate rental income and the challenges of vetting tenants to prevent exploitation of residential properties for illegal drug manufacturing.