Meth Labs in Trailers

A prospective renter told me a horror story about the trailer she reneted four 5 yrs. 6 mos. ago she found out that there may have been a meth lab there some time, so she had it tested and the chemical levels were outrageous. Everything was condemned and she is suing the city and LL, the City because evidently they had already condemned the property before. The LL's insurance will not cover this. She said there were no signs that there had been a lab there before.

Does who invests in Trailers have advice about this type of protection. I Just bought 4 trailers and am renting them. I thought " wow, what if any of these units had Meth labs in them at some time?" . Apparently you can get them tested for a small fee- around $300 and also I think there is Insurance now you can get..

I don't suppose Mr. Lonnie covers this liability in his book?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:58AM

Tom C

Real Estate Investor · Ohio

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Apr 01 '08, 10:54 PM

I am not sure how you can be held liable if you did not know this to begin with. This is something that should have been disclosed to you when you bought it and I would say they or you would have to go back and file against the seller. Once it is brought to your attention, then you have to act on it.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:58AM

Jason F

Real Estate Investor · Gainesville, FL

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Sep 02 '08, 10:59 AM

I can probably tell you that you aren't going to be happy with the results.

Does meth smoking show up on those test or just meth production?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:49AM

P NW

· OR

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Sep 06 '08, 01:24 AM

I sure hope you rejected this applicant.

Never ever rent to anyone who is in a lawsuit with their current landlord.

There should be a record at your county sheriff of every meth house they've busted.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:51AM

Joe P

· West Virginia

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Sep 13 '08, 09:43 PM

Its a horror story and I have fortunately not rented to the person. She continues to call my adds and a freind of mine who has trailers for rent, but this is a mess.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:54AM

Mark Brian

Real Estate Agent · Anderson, South Carolina

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Oct 12 '08, 12:47 AM

Look at http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/seizures/index.html and I am sure there are others. Maybe EPA, state police sites.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:07AM

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Jesus Garcia

· Baytown, Texas

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Dec 03 '08, 04:49 AM

A prospective renter told me a horror story about the trailer she reneted four 5 yrs. 6 mos. ago she found out that there may have been a meth lab there some time, so she had it tested and the chemical levels were outrageous.

I've seen news articles in our area of meth labs in sfh's. There is no prerequisite as to where these meth labs can exist.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:32AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

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Dec 03 '08, 05:23 AM

I lived in a very high-end condo in Los Angeles and someone was running a meth-lab right upstairs from me.

These things are EVERYWHERE!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:32AM

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Mike Matthews

Real Estate Investor · Houston, Texas

242 posts
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Dec 04 '08, 03:21 AM

I would not worry about it, Yes they are everywhere. Odds are you know more HIV infected people than you do Meth cooks.

Use your Landlords right to inspect the homes. It is 5:20 Pm Central time. My renters payments are late as of 3:00pm today. I already sent out 9 3 day vacate notices, In 3 days I will enter all of these properties and do an inspection if they are home or moved out.

Remember you are in control.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:32AM

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Dale Osborn

Mobile Home Investor · Spanaway, Washington

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Jun 21 '10, 05:00 AM

As others have pointed out the labs can be anywhere. They have been found in houses, mobile homes, apts, condos, RVs, mobile units on vehicles, etc. If Sellers or Realtors know about the problem, they are supposed to disclose this. Often though greed gets in the way and they want to sell ot get their commission so do not disclose such matters. During your due diligence period, you could pay to have a test done, but may be expensive. I have heard from several other investors that they do a field test using spray starch. They spray it on the wall and if unit was a meth lab, it turns either pink or purple - I do not remember. Anyway, this would be one way of deciding to proceed or walk away from a contract!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:19PM