HELP! Hoarding Tenant and What is This? (New Photos!)

[Missy B]

Folks, I've had a hell of a weekend. Please, if you can help...

I just learned that my tenants are hoarders. The house is filthy. When I arrived, all 3 wired-in fire alarms were disconnected (by the tenant) because they go off every time he cooks. The kitchen smells of char, and the oven is full of charcoal lumps and grease splatters.
 
Just now, looking at this photo of the basement there is an apparatus on top of his grow lights that looks like a propane tank connected to something.

Can anyone tell me what they think that is? And to the right on the floor, there is another tank of something... any idea? Is he doing some kind of welding or some shit with it?

I was too overwhelmed to pay attention in addition to all his piles of crap (there was a massive pipe replacement so much drywall has been removed) so I didn't have the presence of mind to ask the tenant.

[Missy B]

Thank you. So much.
So its a butane cylinder? And the autoclave is to the left I assume? There is a gauge on top of the cylinder that doesn't show in the photo.
There were some bottles of liquid in a box upstairs. Thought it might be kombucha, but its probably that.

The fire department has so far been completely useless. They say there is no fire code requirements for smoke detectors in that town, and that they cannot go it to inspect, ticket, or instruct tenants. I suspect I won't get anywhere with them on fire hazards.

Oh, and he's not growing weed with those grow lights. No sir.

[former player]

Can you legally give him notice and end the tenancy? You need to read the tenancy agreement carefully and check your local laws.  If you used an agency to find the tenant they should be able to help with an eviction.

Your other option, if you think there is something illegal going on, is to call the police.  They could confiscate any property being used for illegal purposes, and their attentions might help the tenant to choose to move on.

Short of that you could try a letter to the tenant saying that the condition they are keeping the property in is unacceptable, that it should be cleaned and all fire hazards removed and that you are going to re-inspect on a certain date.  I suppose that might work.

[Paper Chaser]

The gas cylinders don't look like welding equipment to me, and there's nothing else there that really fits with welding/fabrication work. The connections and tubing used are all wrong for that kind of work. The cylinders themselves could be just about any compressed gas. The silver ones on the floor look like the kind that are frequently used in labs, restaurants, hospitals, etc.

Gases like CO2, Oxygen, etc are commonly used in indoor hydroponics:

https://www.producegrower.com/article/the-importance-of-gases/

[nereo]

Very hard to telll with the low-resolution photo posted, but this looks like a DIY hydroponics system built by someone who watches too many YouTube videos and lacks focus. The tank on top of the grow lights could be an RO tank (for a water purification step). It appears to have vinyl tubing attached.  The compressed gas cylinders on the floor are likely CO2 or O2, both common.  CO2 is used to adjust pH and to boost available carbon for photosynthesis.

Close ups of the individual pieces of equipment would be useful for ID.

OP - the place is an absolute mess and I understand why you are pissed. But just from the photo the biggest issue I see from a landlord perspective is that its a colossal mess which has strayed into code-violating territory.  From this one photo I don’t see anything that is nefarious or illegal to have in your home (though compressed gas can be leathal if you don’t install and use it correctly).

Very sorry you have to deal with this.  Take more photos, ask more questions, and get this mess taken care of.

[uniwelder]

+1 for the white tank on top for a water reverse osmosis system. Not sure about anything else. Just ask your tenant to explain it to you.

[TreeLeaf]

Yeah I would ask the tenant for an explanation before doing anything. It could be completely innocent.

A friend of mine was making biodiesel in his trailer once and someone assumed it was a meth lab. Called the police. Said friend also liked to get high on marijuana all the time while making biodiesel. Police showed up when he was high as fuck one day making biodiesel and ALSO assumed his biodiesel setup was a meth lab.

He wound up spending 2 years in jail before the detectives figured out it wasn't actually a meth lab. Even the local newspaper printed a story about how a 'meth lab' was discovered there and interviewed the police and everything.

Meanwhile the local farmers had no biodiesel for their tractors, and the local restaraunt owners had to find someone else to dispose of their used cooking oil. Eventually he was released and hired a good lawyer and sued the city for wrongful imprisonment, lost business income, etc, and the taxpayers had to pay a ton of money for that little mistake.

All because some idiot saw some bottles and tubes and assumed the worst.

[Dancin'Dog]

Delete the sad looking beginner grow light & hydroponic contraption from the pic and the room is just a bit messy.  I'm guessing the tanks are probably CO2.  Oxygen tanks are usually green, I think. 


I wonder what the two spigots are on the left?  Hot & cold water, or oxygen & propane?  Hard to tell.  Can you get some better detail shots? 


What kind of trash and debris did you notice?  Shipping labels and product labels would help determine what's going on here.  He might be ADHD and have a number of project / hobby equipment and supplies.  It's messy, but if he doesn't have a shop/garage space to tinker in he's trying to make do in this room. 


I'd just ask him to explain what he's up to.  Voice your concerns about the smoke alarms & the gas cylinders.  If they're flammable I'd request they be removed, and if they aren't I'd still ask him to secure them better.  Ask about what types of chemicals he might be using.  You don't want strong acids, bases, solvents, etc. there.


How does the rest of the place look? 

[therethere]

Honestly, the closets of some of my apartments would have looked like this at one point. Then I moved into a place with a garage. Other than the smoke alarms and any propane tanks involved, I'm not sure if there is anything you could force any change on. It's just good ammo for you to be meticulous upon moveout.

Freezer to the left is a homebrew kegerator. Which, then explains the beer bottles and co2 tanks. And also some spin plates. I would see hydroponics being an easy hobby jump from homebrewing. Same type of DIY, piece stuff together attitude.

As a renter who went through a whole house pipe replacement I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. There are piles of crap everywhere because..... you're tearing down drywall and doing pipe replacement and they've had to rearrange all their stuff. It could very well have more organization to it in normal times. Instead they have had to pick up crap and move it around. When you're squeezing into a small space and you lose use of a room or a wall, it then takes over much of the rest of the apt or house.

But yeah, easy answer is to just ask them what hobbies they are into. Not snoop around.

[Dancin'Dog]

Honestly, the closets of some of my apartments would have looked like this at one point. Then I moved into a place with a garage. Other than the smoke alarms and any propane tanks involved, I'm not sure if there is anything you could force any change on. It's just good ammo for you to be meticulous upon moveout.

Freezer to the left is a homebrew kegerator. Which, then explains the beer bottles and co2 tanks. And also some spin plates. I would see hydroponics being an easy hobby jump from homebrewing. Same type of DIY, piece stuff together attitude.

As a renter who went through a whole house pipe replacement I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. There are piles of crap everywhere because..... you're tearing down drywall and doing pipe replacement and they've had to rearrange all their stuff. It could very well have more organization to it in normal times. Instead they have had to pick up crap and move it around. When you're squeezing into a small space and you lose use of a room or a wall, it then takes over much of the rest of the apt or house.

But yeah, easy answer is to just ask them what hobbies they are into. Not snoop around.

Oh yeah, those are beer taps.  Makes sense.  Good eyes.

[Missy B]

HI everyone. Thanks for your comments and help.
The original photo is much better resolution but the site wouldn't let me post it.

The pipe replacement (poly B) was insurance mandated and done by a plumber I hired. That is useful to know about the plumbing though.

I gave my tenant 2 months notice of the work and explained they would need access to every wall with pipe and to move stuff.
When the plumbers arrived, they could barely move through the house for the stuff. It delayed their work and cost me a lot extra. The plumber gave them shit and the tenant did some dump runs. The tenant has removed a lot apparently.
Unfortunately, the plumber did not share this information with me. Until after the job was done.

I hadn't done an inspection for a while because covid, and 4 hours away. Kicking myself. Tenant always had a lot of crap, but it wasn't like it is now. The garage was, except for a narrow path to the laundry, inaccessible because of stuff.

This is the room directly above the one I posted. Apparently this is an improvement.

[Missy B]

Delete the sad looking beginner grow light & hydroponic contraption from the pic and the room is just a bit messy.  I'm guessing the tanks are probably CO2.  Oxygen tanks are usually green, I think. 


I wonder what the two spigots are on the left?  Hot & cold water, or oxygen & propane?  Hard to tell.  Can you get some better detail shots? 


What kind of trash and debris did you notice?  Shipping labels and product labels would help determine what's going on here.  He might be ADHD and have a number of project / hobby equipment and supplies.  It's messy, but if he doesn't have a shop/garage space to tinker in he's trying to make do in this room. 


I'd just ask him to explain what he's up to.  Voice your concerns about the smoke alarms & the gas cylinders.  If they're flammable I'd request they be removed, and if they aren't I'd still ask him to secure them better.  Ask about what types of chemicals he might be using.  You don't want strong acids, bases, solvents, etc. there.


How does the rest of the place look?

Filthy. Covered with crap.

[Missy B]

This photo is blurred, but shows another view of the work area with the cannisters.

[Missy B]

Long view of the basement. The only stuff that was moved for the plumber was the couch.

[Missy B]

Can you legally give him notice and end the tenancy? You need to read the tenancy agreement carefully and check your local laws.  If you used an agency to find the tenant they should be able to help with an eviction.

Your other option, if you think there is something illegal going on, is to call the police.  They could confiscate any property being used for illegal purposes, and their attentions might help the tenant to choose to move on.

Short of that you could try a letter to the tenant saying that the condition they are keeping the property in is unacceptable, that it should be cleaned and all fire hazards removed and that you are going to re-inspect on a certain date.  I suppose that might work.

Yeah, I'm considering both those options. The trouble is that we are way behind  on processing eviction disputes and we have both extremely generous drug laws here (I'm in British Columbia) and strong tenant protection laws.

[Sandi_k]

Can you legally give him notice and end the tenancy? You need to read the tenancy agreement carefully and check your local laws.  If you used an agency to find the tenant they should be able to help with an eviction.

Your other option, if you think there is something illegal going on, is to call the police.  They could confiscate any property being used for illegal purposes, and their attentions might help the tenant to choose to move on.

Short of that you could try a letter to the tenant saying that the condition they are keeping the property in is unacceptable, that it should be cleaned and all fire hazards removed and that you are going to re-inspect on a certain date.  I suppose that might work.

Yeah, I'm considering both those options. The trouble is that we are way behind  on processing eviction disputes and we have both extremely generous drug laws here (I'm in British Columbia) and strong tenant protection laws.

Cash for keys.

[Missy B]

Delete the sad looking beginner grow light & hydroponic contraption from the pic and the room is just a bit messy.  I'm guessing the tanks are probably CO2.  Oxygen tanks are usually green, I think. 


I wonder what the two spigots are on the left?  Hot & cold water, or oxygen & propane?  Hard to tell.  Can you get some better detail shots? 


What kind of trash and debris did you notice?  Shipping labels and product labels would help determine what's going on here.  He might be ADHD and have a number of project / hobby equipment and supplies.  It's messy, but if he doesn't have a shop/garage space to tinker in he's trying to make do in this room. 


I'd just ask him to explain what he's up to.  Voice your concerns about the smoke alarms & the gas cylinders.  If they're flammable I'd request they be removed, and if they aren't I'd still ask him to secure them better.  Ask about what types of chemicals he might be using.  You don't want strong acids, bases, solvents, etc. there.


How does the rest of the place look?

I thought the spigots looked like oxygen but likelynwater as pointed down rather then out but hard to tell. And the smaller silver  canister (or two as one looked like it was next to it but laying down) in the first photo way over on the right ooked like oxygen tanks. There looked to be some regulators on some too. I don't know anything about hyponics (or beer brewing)  but can see it could be one of those. Explains all the beer bottles and grow lights.

After seeing the rest of the photos I'm going with crazy hoarder who likes to collect random junk. I watch re-runs of the old Hoarders show yesterday and the OPs photos remind me of that. You'll likely have to threaten eviction to get them to clean up.

Yup. I've already told them I'll be moving in.

[Missy B]

Latest update: boyfriend, who took the pictures, told me that the tank had a regulator that was going off while we were down there. It's probably carbon dioxide for the weed he isn't growing. Not a flammable solvent at any rate. The other tanks are probably for the brewing.

I'm happy, relatively speaking. Less unhappy than I was last night. The tenant is, as Spartana said, pretty much a random hoarder, probably with ADHD. His wife has schizophrenia. That's her stuff in the living room.

This guy has been whining about how poor they are, on disability, can't afford the rent (they are $1000+ under market) and he sure has a lot of expensive looking hobby shit. And two cars, one new.

I'm done landlording. Maybe roommates, but not again where I can't walk into the house any time I want.

[iris lily]

Can you legally give him notice and end the tenancy? You need to read the tenancy agreement carefully and check your local laws.  If you used an agency to find the tenant they should be able to help with an eviction.

Your other option, if you think there is something illegal going on, is to call the police.  They could confiscate any property being used for illegal purposes, and their attentions might help the tenant to choose to move on.

Short of that you could try a letter to the tenant saying that the condition they are keeping the property in is unacceptable, that it should be cleaned and all fire hazards removed and that you are going to re-inspect on a certain date.  I suppose that might work.

Yeah, I'm considering both those options. The trouble is that we are way behind  on processing eviction disputes and we have both extremely generous drug laws here (I'm in British Columbia) and strong tenant protection laws.

Cash for keys.

Excellent advice.

None of the other conditions matter because this situation will never get better or even remain the same. Downhill all the way.

Start today the process to get tenant out by any means necessary. If the process takes x months, it takes x months.

[SunnyDays]

Can you get the insurance company involved?  I don't imagine they would willingly insure a place with those kinds of fire risks.  That may be an added basis for eviction.

[Miss Piggy]

Meth lab? Honey oil lab? Butane cylinders are common to drug labs and much of the things laying around have that look about them. Even looks like there's an autoclave.   I feel terrible for you as whatever it is there is a fairly large amount of combustibles around not even counting what may be in the various  cylinders. You may have to.call code enforcement and evict but that may take time. You should check out the tentents laws in your state for guidance on how to legally proceed. I lived next door to a serious hoarder once and it was awful.

What's interesting though is how neatly the beer or wine bottles are lined up. Bottom level look like glass bongs. Beer bottles and glass bottles are used to package honey oil - and illegal derivative of cannabis (in most states) and the labs contents are highly flammable.   Looking at photo via a tiny phone screen so can't really tell what the other stuff is but have a few ideas and it's not welding or soldering equipment. Lots of weird old wiring clamped at various places. Definite fire hazard. Of course as a former LEO my mind goes to drug manufacturing instead of someone's puttering tools.

I am...impressed (???) with your knowledge here. (Please don't read anything more into that.)

[Missy B]

Can you get the insurance company involved?  I don't imagine they would willingly insure a place with those kinds of fire risks.  That may be an added basis for eviction.

No. They will simply void our insurance and share that with every other insurer so we can't get insurance. They don't have any enforcement ability. I can put it in an eviction notice that it voids our insurance, but there is no one who will come in (police, fire) to enforce.

Can't remember if I said here already that I talked to the Fire Dept in the town where the house is and they don't do enforcement in private dwellings. They do in the city where I live, which seems like it should be a universal practise rather than a municipal-only policy.

I've gone off wanting to live there. Here in my city there is a hoarding task force that you contact and they aim to do a home visit within 5 days, plus connection to the hoarder with support services. The fire dept is involved and proactive as well, and if a tenant unhooks your smoke alarms they can inspect and ticket and put the fear of the almighty Lord in them if they choose.
That protects everyone.

[trollwithamustache]

Id guess they are making CBD oil. It looks like the butane tank and possibly a small chiller for the extraction to get the oils out of the raw product.

[Cassie]

I hope you are able to get them out before they do any more damage.

[Missy B]

I hope you are able to get them out before they do any more damage.

Thanks. I hope so too. So far everything has been out of stupidity and lack of care rather than malice. he isn't too well located in reality and thinks he is actually a very good tenant.

[Missy B]

Meth lab? Honey oil lab? Butane cylinders are common to drug labs and much of the things laying around have that look about them. Even looks like there's an autoclave.   I feel terrible for you as whatever it is there is a fairly large amount of combustibles around not even counting what may be in the various  cylinders. You may have to.call code enforcement and evict but that may take time. You should check out the tentents laws in your state for guidance on how to legally proceed. I lived next door to a serious hoarder once and it was awful.

What's interesting though is how neatly the beer or wine bottles are lined up. Bottom level look like glass bongs. Beer bottles and glass bottles are used to package honey oil - and illegal derivative of cannabis (in most states) and the labs contents are highly flammable.   Looking at photo via a tiny phone screen so can't really tell what the other stuff is but have a few ideas and it's not welding or soldering equipment. Lots of weird old wiring clamped at various places. Definite fire hazard. Of course as a former LEO my mind goes to drug manufacturing instead of someone's puttering tools.

I am...impressed (???) with your knowledge here. (Please don't read anything more into that.)

LOL! I've seen a few set ups back in the working days. Like @trollwithamustache said it has the look of a distillation set up for CBD (hash oil, honey oil) and now that he pointed out the chiller (which I thought might be an autoclave or drying oven) maybe it is. But ...still going with crazy hoarder but he has some weird mad scientist-y stuff going on there.  I also thing I see a dead rat under the big orange cabinet. I need a computer as this tiny phone screen is terrible.

Good eye, my goodness. It could be. Sure looks like a tail.

[Missy B]

A scary thing I just read while googling how to evict a hoarder - hoarding disorder is a protected class of disability and you can't evict them unless they present a serious fire or health risk (which I think yours does).  You must make accomadations for their disorder but can force a clean up etc. That in the US so Canada may be different.

I had to call code enforcement numerous times (as did some others) to get my hoarder next door neighbor the clean up or he could face big fines and a lien placed on his property. Sadly any fines or liens may fall to you rather then your tenent so you might need to get a good lawyer to help evict them.

I asked the Tenancy Branch this morning if they got special accomodation because the wife is schizophrenic, and the guy said no, they still have to meet standards.
But I'm not surprised to hear you say that's the case. I don't agree with that kind of policy, it just becomes an excuse not to do the (emotional and physical) work.

[LaineyAZ]

Can you get the insurance company involved?  I don't imagine they would willingly insure a place with those kinds of fire risks.  That may be an added basis for eviction.

No. They will simply void our insurance and share that with every other insurer so we can't get insurance. They don't have any enforcement ability. I can put it in an eviction notice that it voids our insurance, but there is no one who will come in (police, fire) to enforce.

Can't remember if I said here already that I talked to the Fire Dept in the town where the house is and they don't do enforcement in private dwellings. They do in the city where I live, which seems like it should be a universal practise rather than a municipal-only policy.

I've gone off wanting to live there. Here in my city there is a hoarding task force that you contact and they aim to do a home visit within 5 days, plus connection to the hoarder with support services. The fire dept is involved and proactive as well, and if a tenant unhooks your smoke alarms they can inspect and ticket and put the fear of the almighty Lord in them if they choose.
That protects everyone.

Years ago I remember reading about one small town that had been dealing with a hoarder family for years.  Between multiple forced clean-ups and sending their minor children to foster care multiple times, the town calculated they spent well over $500,000.  Just for one family. 
I know hoarding is a disease but maybe the cost of years-long code enforcement and child protection is just beyond the capabilities of some small government budgets. 

[rothwem]

Maybe I'm strange here, but why do you care?  Do the rent checks come on time?  As far as fire damage goes, that's what insurance is for.  Why not just leave the tenant alone?

[Metalcat]

Can you get the insurance company involved?  I don't imagine they would willingly insure a place with those kinds of fire risks.  That may be an added basis for eviction.

No. They will simply void our insurance and share that with every other insurer so we can't get insurance. They don't have any enforcement ability. I can put it in an eviction notice that it voids our insurance, but there is no one who will come in (police, fire) to enforce.

Can't remember if I said here already that I talked to the Fire Dept in the town where the house is and they don't do enforcement in private dwellings. They do in the city where I live, which seems like it should be a universal practise rather than a municipal-only policy.

I've gone off wanting to live there. Here in my city there is a hoarding task force that you contact and they aim to do a home visit within 5 days, plus connection to the hoarder with support services. The fire dept is involved and proactive as well, and if a tenant unhooks your smoke alarms they can inspect and ticket and put the fear of the almighty Lord in them if they choose.
That protects everyone.

Years ago I remember reading about one small town that had been dealing with a hoarder family for years.  Between multiple forced clean-ups and sending their minor children to foster care multiple times, the town calculated they spent well over $500,000.  Just for one family. 
I know hoarding is a disease but maybe the cost of years-long code enforcement and child protection is just beyond the capabilities of some small government budgets.

Sure. But evicting them doesn't solve the problem. They have to live somewhere and they're going to hoard wherever they live. So the town is just going to have to pay for eviction hearings on top of everything else, and then just do it all over again at the next house.

[Metalcat]

Maybe I'm strange here, but why do you care?  Do the rent checks come on time?  As far as fire damage goes, that's what insurance is for.  Why not just leave the tenant alone?

Fires often lead to people and animals dying.

Also, I'm guessing you've never had to make a major claim with an insurance company or had to rehab a house from major damage. None of these are casual, easy things to deal with.

It's not like your house burns down, you make a call, get a big cheque, and then instantly the house is fixed and back on the rental market.

It's a pretty devastating and brutal process to go through, plus as I said, people and animals can die, so definitely something you want to proactively prevent if you can.

[patchyfacialhair]

Maybe I'm strange here, but why do you care?  Do the rent checks come on time?  As far as fire damage goes, that's what insurance is for.  Why not just leave the tenant alone?

Risk mitigation? People save significant amounts of money at considerable effort to be able to buy rental properties or real estate in general. They should just let whatever happen to the property without doing anything?

People don't want to lose that money if they don't have to. Insurance policies have limits. And insurance companies are generally a pain to deal with. So kudos to OP for having a normal reaction to what may or may not be illegal activity in the place they own. If the tenant wants to do something risky like this (legal or not), they should do it in a place they own or get explicit permission from the landlord.

[Metalcat]

Maybe I'm strange here, but why do you care?  Do the rent checks come on time?  As far as fire damage goes, that's what insurance is for.  Why not just leave the tenant alone?

Risk mitigation? People save significant amounts of money at considerable effort to be able to buy rental properties or real estate in general. They should just let whatever happen to the property without doing anything?

People don't want to lose that money if they don't have to. Insurance policies have limits. And insurance companies are generally a pain to deal with. So kudos to OP for having a normal reaction to what may or may not be illegal activity in the place they own. If the tenant wants to do something risky like this (legal or not), they should do it in a place they own or get explicit permission from the landlord.

Insurance companies also often won't cover damage from drug and crime related activity.

I've worked with insurance companies and dealt with them myself. No one should walk around in life thinking that because they bought an insurance policy that everything will be fine.

So yeah, if it is drug activity that's a fire hazard, then it could mean dead people, dead animals, a destroyed property, damage to neighbour(s) properties, risk to fire fighters, and NO insurance coverage, plus personal liability since the landlord had reasonable suspicion of the criminal activity before the fire happened.

Courts don't look kindly on business folks who just shrug and ignore safety risks on their properties with the attitude of "whatever, insurance will pay for it."

[Missy B]

Maybe I'm strange here, but why do you care?  Do the rent checks come on time?  As far as fire damage goes, that's what insurance is for.  Why not just leave the tenant alone?

What Malcat and Patchyfacialhair said. I've already had one insurance claim for a flood that was completely legitimate and I can tell you it was a fight all the way. They look for any reason they can to disallow.

I have a number of legal responsibilities as a landlord which I cannot meet by 'leaving the tenant alone'.
I did in fact do that for a number of years -- because they were paying rent on time -- which allowed this problem to develop into what it has.

[TreeLeaf]

Maybe I'm strange here, but why do you care?  Do the rent checks come on time?  As far as fire damage goes, that's what insurance is for.  Why not just leave the tenant alone?

What Malcat and Patchyfacialhair said. I've already had one insurance claim for a flood that was completely legitimate and I can tell you it was a fight all the way. They look for any reason they can to disallow.

I have a number of legal responsibilities as a landlord which I cannot meet by 'leaving the tenant alone'.
I did in fact do that for a number of years -- because they were paying rent on time -- which allowed this problem to develop into what it has.

Right - landlords have certain legal responsibilities, on top of the normal property owner responsibilities.

It kind of sucks in some ways, especially if you get horrible tenants.

When I was a landlord I spent tons of time screening tenants, and even had multiple interviews talking with tenants and their references. Like - multiple lunches sort of thing. I specifically looked for long term responsible tenants with reliable income and excellent credit. I was horribly picky, but it worked out great.

It's a hassle to find good tenants but a FAR bigger hassle to deal with bad tenants. So imo it's worth it to do heavy screening up front. It is just like a relationship, you don't want to have a relationship with someone who may wind up screwing you over.

Dealing with all the legality, in addition to the liability risks, was another reason I eventually sold all my properties. If I want a part time job I will just find another software engineering gig.

[Missy B]

Maybe I'm strange here, but why do you care?  Do the rent checks come on time?  As far as fire damage goes, that's what insurance is for.  Why not just leave the tenant alone?

What Malcat and Patchyfacialhair said. I've already had one insurance claim for a flood that was completely legitimate and I can tell you it was a fight all the way. They look for any reason they can to disallow.

I have a number of legal responsibilities as a landlord which I cannot meet by 'leaving the tenant alone'.
I did in fact do that for a number of years -- because they were paying rent on time -- which allowed this problem to develop into what it has.

Right - landlords have certain legal responsibilities, on top of the normal property owner responsibilities.

It kind of sucks in some ways, especially if you get horrible tenants.

When I was a landlord I spent tons of time screening tenants, and even had multiple interviews talking with tenants and their references. Like - multiple lunches sort of thing. I specifically looked for long term responsible tenants with reliable income and excellent credit. I was horribly picky, but it worked out great.

It's a hassle to find good tenants but a FAR bigger hassle to deal with bad tenants. So imo it's worth it to do heavy screening up front. It is just like a relationship, you don't want to have a relationship with someone who may wind up screwing you over.

Dealing with all the legality, in addition to the liability risks, was another reason I eventually sold all my properties. If I want a part time job I will just find another software engineering gig.

Yes. I think the level required is beyond me, actually. This guy seemed responsible, and had perfect credit. He had just sold his house so he didn't have a previous landlord. And the house is far, so it wasn't easy to keep tabs - a driveby to see the state of the yard, a notice that I'll be coming in to do a quick repair.

I won't be doing any more landlording... even though my partner and I could move in to my house and rent his little apt in Vancouver for enough to live off of.

[Sandi_k]

Maybe I'm strange here, but why do you care?  Do the rent checks come on time?  As far as fire damage goes, that's what insurance is for.  Why not just leave the tenant alone?

No one has mentioned the big risk that I see, so here it is:

*If* there is illicit drug activity here, the current US law allows for seizure and forfeiture of the owner's assets. Which may include assets other than just the rental house.

I have no tolerance for folks like this, or the possible risks. I would move in, or offer cash for keys ASAP.

[trollwithamustache]

Meth lab? Honey oil lab?

I am...impressed (???) with your knowledge here. (Please don't read anything more into that.)

LOL! I've seen a few set ups back in the working days. Like @trollwithamustache said it has the look of a distillation set up for CBD (hash oil, honey oil) and now that he pointed out the chiller (which I thought might be an autoclave or drying oven) maybe it is. But ...still going with crazy hoarder but he has some weird mad scientist-y stuff going on there.  I also thing I see a dead rat under the big orange cabinet. I need a computer as this tiny phone screen is terrible.

Good eye, my goodness. It could be. Sure looks like a tail.

it could be a drying oven as noted. Some of the more Ghetto CBD guys do the extraction too hot and then basically boil off the butane with no recovery. When/if they try to go legit, then they can't get air permits doing that.

[Jon Bon]

Maybe I'm strange here, but why do you care?  Do the rent checks come on time?  As far as fire damage goes, that's what insurance is for.  Why not just leave the tenant alone?

No one has mentioned the big risk that I see, so here it is:

*If* there is illicit drug activity here, the current US law allows for seizure and forfeiture of the owner's assets. Which may include assets other than just the rental house.

I have no tolerance for folks like this, or the possible risks. I would move in, or offer cash for keys ASAP.

Come on man, there is illicit drug use in like 50% of rental houses. I don't think ATF is coming to repossess his property.

However, the hoarding is a BFD. They do just an absolute ton of damage. I get its a disorder or sickness and I don't care. If they are badly damaging your property they have to go ASAP. Its not like they are going to turn around and become ideal tenants.

Get them out any way you can.

[ChpBstrd]

That tank is a water heater expansion tank.
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Water-Heaters-Water-Heater-Parts-Water-Heater-Expansion-Tanks/N-5yc1vZckr7

Perhaps it helps prevent pressure surges to the drip irrigation system?

[AMandM]

Oh, and he's not growing weed with those grow lights. No sir.

On the not-illegal-just-wacky-hobby theory, maybe he's he growing his own hops for beer?

[Missy B]

Oh, and he's not growing weed with those grow lights. No sir.

On the not-illegal-just-wacky-hobby theory, maybe he's he growing his own hops for beer?

He isn't growing hops. It's a very distinctive plant and it certainly wouldn't fit in his little set up.

[Missy B]

Back again for a hand from the Money Mustache Brain Trust...

Can anyone help identify what has been done to my light fixture? Particularly what that narrow glass tube thing is... and if it is any kind of possible hazard. Like could someone get zapped if they touch it. I want it returned to normal and I don't know how simple a job that is if he doesn't do it before he moves.

My tenant is at best misleading in his responses to questions about what he's up to, so I need to know what is going on before I have the conversation. (Eg his response to my questions about the kegger equipment in the basement was that he is 'making healthy drinks for the kids'.)

[Missy B]

And this.... is some kind of vaccuum pump? Autoclave? Anyone recognize what its used for?

[ChpBstrd]

That's a restaurant-grade vacuum sealer for shrink wrapping food or blocks of weed.

[Missy B]

That's a restaurant-grade vacuum sealer for shrink wrapping food or blocks of weed.

Thank you.
There's a lot of equipment in the house like that... could be some standard application, or could be sketchy. On the balance, sketchy. Especially after seeing his sealed glass bottles with something that looked like dirty cooking oil in them.

I really don't think he's running a packing or shatter-making operation out of the house. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if he thought he could do something like that as a side gig, acquired the equipment, then couldn't make it work.

[uniwelder]

Back again for a hand from the Money Mustache Brain Trust...

Can anyone help identify what has been done to my light fixture? Particularly what that narrow glass tube thing is... and if it is any kind of possible hazard. Like could someone get zapped if they touch it. I want it returned to normal and I don't know how simple a job that is if he doesn't do it before he moves.

My tenant is at best misleading in his responses to questions about what he's up to, so I need to know what is going on before I have the conversation. (Eg his response to my questions about the kegger equipment in the basement was that he is 'making healthy drinks for the kids'.)

I'm pretty sure the narrow tube in the center is the post that usually holds the hemispherical glass globe of the light fixture.  The globe would have a hole in the center and there would be a nut that screws on to hold up in place.

[PMJL34]

Can we lock/delete this thread? It's a hoarder, they hoard random and odd things. OP, yes it sucks for you, but posting random pictures of their room isn't going to help you. You already have plans to evict this tenant through owner move-in. Learn your lesson and move on.

[Missy B]

Can we lock/delete this thread? It's a hoarder, they hoard random and odd things. OP, yes it sucks for you, but posting random pictures of their room isn't going to help you. You already have plans to evict this tenant through owner move-in. Learn your lesson and move on.

If my thread and requests for help bothers you, don't read it.

[Villanelle]

Can we lock/delete this thread? It's a hoarder, they hoard random and odd things. OP, yes it sucks for you, but posting random pictures of their room isn't going to help you. You already have plans to evict this tenant through owner move-in. Learn your lesson and move on.

Why on earth does it need to be locked?  OP is seeking information to understand what's happening in their property.  That hardly seems like a conversation we have to halt by locking a thread. 

Do you have a hoarder in your life?  Your reaction seems... disproportionate and makes me wonder if maybe it's not hitting a sore spot of some kind.