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Updated almost 8 years ago, 02/08/2017
Meth Lab Busted in my apartment and the kid wants his stuff.....
I had a tenant die (of "natural" causes I believe) 3-4 weeks ago. Apparently her son decided that her apartment, in my building would a grand place for a meth lab.I found out about the dead tenant and the lab in the same phone call with the police. Anyway...He was busted last Monday and the unit was tagged by the health department. No one in/out and nothing is to be removed until the unit is tested. I haven't got around to making a decision on which company I want to do the testing yet.
Here comes the question.....The kid had the sack to call and leave me a voicemail today (no apology for being a white trash loser and damaging my unit of course) and asked if I would let him in to "get some clothes and stuff".
My response was that no one was to enter per the HDept and they texted back that they called the jail and they said he was allowed to get his stuff. I fired back that he needed to call the HD and sent a pic of the door tag stating that nothing was to be removed.
Not asking for legal advice. How have others here handled this?
I haven't experienced this, but I wouldn't let him enter as he may remove evidence against him or cause further damage or even decide to squat and require eviction. You can't trust him.
I guess I should clarify....what's your move if the Health Dept says he can enter for personal items?
I don't believe they will allow but if they do.....
And Ill even say that if it were up to me, he would never get his stuff back. What's the recourse to me if I don't agree to open the door and so on?
He MUST have a stash of cash under a floorboard, or behind a removable piece of drywall. GET IN THERE AND TREASURE HUNT!
Okay, maybe I watch too much TV and then troll the forum. I don't have any useful advice.
If they do allow him to make entry, I would make sure you and the local PD are there to supervise. I would contact the officer in charge of the Narcotics Investigation for advice as well.
If the health dept gives him clearance and he's on the lease, I would struggle with that. If he's not on the lease, I wouldn't let him in as he may steal stuff and you can claim since he's not on the lease he doesn't have any rights to access.
Do nothing without speaking to an attorney. They can explain what could be on the line should you fail to head the HDept. They can explain the need to do nothing absent a court order.
Disclaimer: Not intended to be legal advice, only a local attorney can answer this question.
Hi Brandon
How quickly do you want this "loser" out of your life. I would just go in there first to see what he is going to take, and then dispose of his toxicity as quickly as possible. The quicker you can get rid of him, the less energy you have to waste. There is nothing you can do about the past, only move forward, get on with your business, and be grateful you don't have his life.
Gino
Echoing what others said, especially the advice from Michael and Omar.
Although, if what Bryan said turns out to be true, the kid might try to break in and retrieve his stash. Might wanna tip of local PD to please keep an eye on the place.
I have not had the dubious pleasure of dealing with such a situation, but at this point, after I got done laughing at the kid, I'd probably follow up on Omar's advice, see if he's on the lease, and if not, keep laughing at him. Would let him know that any ethical-moral obligation I felt to let him retrieve his stuff from his mother's place went out the window when he opened up a meth lab in there and that he may retrieve his effects, under supervision, after he has reimbursed you for lost rent and the cost of rehabilitating the unit.
Originally posted by @Gino Barbaro:
Hi Brandon
How quickly do you want this "loser" out of your life. I would just go in there first to see what he is going to take, and then dispose of his toxicity as quickly as possible. The quicker you can get rid of him, the less energy you have to waste. There is nothing you can do about the past, only move forward, get on with your business, and be grateful you don't have his life.
Gino
No one may have access to the space right now as it may be deemed unsafe to enter or a crime scene. Meth labs are a mess, both literally and figuratively. I was on the Meth Task Force for 10 years and we didn't make entry without full SCBA and Tyvek suits, (over SWAT gear). They then were sealed up until a crime scene unit went through it, then they sat until a private cleanup company removed all the chemicals and it was again inspected by the health department. The renter can most likely forget about ever getting any clothing items out of there, (hey, he created the situation), but you are the one that gets stuck with the hard part.
This process can take a good deal of time and money to get the property ready to rent again. The sooner you get with a good attorney the better. Having this place sit will cost you, and, depending on the area, may be difficult to rent after, (small towns, people remember why it was sealed up).
As already mentioned, get with an attorney and local PD to find out what the process is going to be going forward with this place. the sooner you get started, the sooner you can make money there again!
EDIT: Forgot to mention. Get in touch with your insurance company too. You will most likely have to make a claim for cleanup costs and repairs. They can grease the wheels a little for you as well.
Hi. My company performs meth lab cleanup all over the country and IN is a regulated State. With that being said no one can enter or remove items until the home has been decontaminated. If the kid takes his stuff and puts it in another location he can then contaminate that house. Your first course of action is to test the property by an IN licensed meth lab decon company. I am happy to recommend if you PM me. Once the testing is done you will get a work plan to decontaminate the house so you can re-rent it. Your house will be listed on the IN registry until decontaminated. Unfortunately it is costly however many of our landlord clients have been successful getting insurance coverage. Let me know if I can help.
- Laura Spaulding
- [email protected]
- 8134822215
You realize this post is a year old right? The unit has been fully rebuilt and is back in service now.
Brandon Hicks How did this end up playing out?
We gutted it, rebuilt it and rented it. I've got a restitution hearing next month and fully expect to get a non-collectible $15k+ judgment against the two perps.
Yes I saw the age. The post still has plenty of value for everyone.
- Laura Spaulding
- [email protected]
- 8134822215