[Zipperfish]

andyt andyt:

I"m not defending the inspections as they're currently carried out. I don't give a shit if somebody is growing dope in their basement. The mold problem is really their own lookout, they're the ones that are going to get sick from it. But creating a fire trap is everybody's concern - their neighbors and the firemen who might lose their lives dealing with the fire. Escpecially if it's in a multiple dwelling building. So I think inspectors should be able to come in and inspect, without a warrant. But no cops, no nit picking. Just looking for electrical problems and nuclear reactors and such. If the resident refuses them access, then that should be sufficient reason to get a warrant, and have the cops accompany them. And it's fine by me if that gives the resident time to get rid of the dope. This shouldn't be about the pot at all anyway.

See the problem that illegal drugs cause? IF pot was legal nobody would ruin their house growing it. The inspectors could go back to inspecting those few houses where some numbnuts is doing something stupid with electricity, and the cops would have more time for Timmies. Everybody wins.

We're not that far apart then.

[Curtman]

andyt andyt:

I don't give a shit if somebody is growing dope in their basement. The mold problem is really their own lookout, they're the ones that are going to get sick from it. But creating a fire trap is everybody's concern - their neighbors and the firemen who might lose their lives dealing with the fire. Escpecially if it's in a multiple dwelling building.

The people who would show high electrical consumption haven't bypassed their meter though, and aren't likely to have a fire. I'm more worried about the mold problem for the homeowner who buys the house afterward. But that's a problem that could be caused by poor construction, bad ventilation, a malfunctioning humidifier, growing cucumbers, or any number of things.

[andyt]

Curtman Curtman:

andyt andyt:

I don't give a shit if somebody is growing dope in their basement. The mold problem is really their own lookout, they're the ones that are going to get sick from it. But creating a fire trap is everybody's concern - their neighbors and the firemen who might lose their lives dealing with the fire. Escpecially if it's in a multiple dwelling building.

The people who would show high electrical consumption haven't bypassed their meter though, and aren't likely to have a fire. I'm more worried about the mold problem for the homeowner who buys the house afterward. But that's a problem that could be caused by poor construction, bad ventilation, a malfunctioning humidifier, growing cucumbers, or any number of things.

Yep and should be caught in the inspection the buyer should make sure to get.

I don't think it's only people bypassing the meter that causes fires, but I'm no electrician. But I guess if they run thru the meter, it shows they likely don't have criminal intent. The inspectors should probably go only after place that show usage that's just way thru the roof, and that's only been going on in recent times.
And if they see a new swimming pool in the backyard, that should pretty well be it right there.

[Brenda]

$1:

IF pot was legal nobody would ruin their house growing it.

No one ruins THEIR house growing it. They ruin OTHER peoples property growing it. No home owner in his right mind would grow pot if you can rent a place for cheap and bypass the meter.

[andyt]

Brenda Brenda:

$1:

IF pot was legal nobody would ruin their house growing it.

No one ruins THEIR house growing it. They ruin OTHER peoples property growing it. No home owner in his right mind would grow pot if you can rent a place for cheap and bypass the meter.

Sorry Brenda. You're absolutely right. If pot was legal, nobody would ruin other people's houses growing it. (Actually I think some people buy houses just to let others grow dope in it - there's that much profit in it. The owners can claim they didn't know)

And there's a preferably good reason why you should care if pot is illegal. Maybe somebody will do it to one of your houses, when you've become the slumlord queen of Spuzzum or where ever you live. Or you know, your kids rent a house while in uni that's contaminated with mold and get sick. Join the cause, sister.

[Curtman]

andyt andyt:

Yep and should be caught in the inspection the buyer should make sure to get.

I don't think it's only people bypassing the meter that causes fires, but I'm no electrician. But I guess if they run thru the meter, it shows they likely don't have criminal intent. The inspectors should probably go only after place that show usage that's just way thru the roof, and that's only been going on in recent times.
And if they see a new swimming pool in the backyard, that should pretty well be it right there.

We bought our house without an inspection. We had one done afterward, but the housing market was so insane during that time that offers that included home inspections weren't even taken seriously. The whole neighbourhood is full of zonalite insulation and vapour barrier wasn't invented in 1911 either, so we just assumed that we would have a whole lot of renovation ahead of us going in.

I would think the biggest indicator should be showing a low consumption, and a whole bunch of power missing in their neighbourhood. I don't know how these fires normally start, but I'm assuming there is no circuit breaker and they are drawing more amps through the wire than it is rated for. Unless it's a heat dissipation thing with the lights. Maybe EB can tell us about that.

[Brenda]

andyt andyt:

Brenda Brenda:

$1:

IF pot was legal nobody would ruin their house growing it.

No one ruins THEIR house growing it. They ruin OTHER peoples property growing it. No home owner in his right mind would grow pot if you can rent a place for cheap and bypass the meter.

Sorry Brenda. You're absolutely right. If pot was legal, nobody would ruin other people's houses growing it. (Actually I think some people buy houses just to let others grow dope in it - there's that much profit in it. The owners can claim they didn't know)

And there's a preferably good reason why you should care if pot is illegal. Maybe somebody will do it to one of your houses, when you've become the slumlord queen of Spuzzum or where ever you live. Or you know, your kids rent a house while in uni that's contaminated with mold and get sick. Join the cause, sister.

You still do not get my point. Whatever man.

[andyt]

Brenda Brenda:

You still do not get my point. Whatever man.

Well what is your point then?

[Brenda]

andyt andyt:

Brenda Brenda:

You still do not get my point. Whatever man.

Well what is your point then?

That no one has the right to enter your property without your permission or a warrant. Just a high use of electricity is NOT a valid reason to barge in and fine a guy $5200.

A landlord has to make sure his houses are safe to rent out, and that contains (and if that isn't law/bylaw, it should be) an inspection. An owner does not have to have an inspection every year. It has nothing to do with growing pot or not, and everybody knows that when you do grow pot, your hydro-bill will not be high.
This guy has been treated unfairly, and I wish him a lot of luck with his case. I hope he wins big time.

[DrCaleb]

andyt andyt:

But creating a fire trap is everybody's concern - their neighbors and the firemen who might lose their lives dealing with the fire. Escpecially if it's in a multiple dwelling building. So I think inspectors should be able to come in and inspect, without a warrant. But no cops, no nit picking.

The threat of possible public harm is the first call toward the erosion of liberty. Pulling over vehicles 'randomly' is one, and being forced to have a random home inspection is yet another. We have a right to not be unreasonable searched and siezed, and the SCoC has upheld the creedo that 'a man's home is his castle'.

I agree with you, renters don't have that right - most places require 24 hours notice before inspection by a landlord. That's fine. But, I will not - nor should anyone else - allow some random inspection of my home. Get a warrant. I don't see any circumstance where that should be allowed. If people are worried that a burning home can set adjoining units on fire, set them further apart like fire chiefs have been saying for decades.

If I die because the piles of garbage fell on me, that's my own damn fault. Let me die from my own stupidity, if I decide to do my own electrical wiring or gas pipe fitting. If I want to grow plants in my own home, that too is my own business.

[andyt]

Brenda Brenda:

andyt andyt:

Brenda Brenda:

You still do not get my point. Whatever man.

Well what is your point then?

That no one has the right to enter your property without your permission or a warrant. Just a high use of electricity is NOT a valid reason to barge in and fine a guy $5200.

A landlord has to make sure his houses are safe to rent out, and that contains (and if that isn't law/bylaw, it should be) an inspection. An owner does not have to have an inspection every year. It has nothing to do with growing pot or not, and everybody knows that when you do grow pot, your hydro-bill will not be high.
This guy has been treated unfairly, and I wish him a lot of luck with his case. I hope he wins big time.

My sympathies are with this guy as well. They should have inspected him, told him sorry for the bother and left. But I still think it's a good idea to make sure homeowners arent' creating death traps either, especially when it may involve others.

[andyt]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

If people are worried that a burning home can set adjoining units on fire, set them further apart like fire chiefs have been saying for decades.

If I die because the piles of garbage fell on me, that's my own damn fault. Let me die from my own stupidity, if I decide to do my own electrical wiring or gas pipe fitting. If I want to grow plants in my own home, that too is my own business.

But they're not set further apart, and we're not going to tear down all houses to accomplish what you say. And now you want to do your own gas pipe fitting too? Have you seen what happens with a gas explosion? It isn't just your business, that's the problem.

[Brenda]

Officially, you need a permit to have your house renovated... If you do your electrical yourself, you should have someone check it (been there done that...), same for gaspipes, framing, insulation, roofing, waterpipes, draining system...

No body DOES it, but it is required...

[DrCaleb]

andyt andyt:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

If people are worried that a burning home can set adjoining units on fire, set them further apart like fire chiefs have been saying for decades.

If I die because the piles of garbage fell on me, that's my own damn fault. Let me die from my own stupidity, if I decide to do my own electrical wiring or gas pipe fitting. If I want to grow plants in my own home, that too is my own business.

But they're not set further apart, and we're not going to tear down all houses to accomplish what you say. And now you want to do your own gas pipe fitting too? Have you seen what happens with a gas explosion?

Yes.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/dea ... story.html

andyt andyt:

It isn't just your business, that's the problem.

That is still no reason to retroactively strip me of my rights. And you really need better reading comprehension. "If I decide to..."

So, I take it then you'd be in favour of changing minimum building codes? Ever watch anything by Mike Holmes? Every situation he runs across is both potentially dangerous, and perfectly legal. It's all minimum code, and that is insufficient in his opinion. Owning a home myself that was just barely built to the code at the time, I know how bad things can be. Luckily, my nearest neighbour isn't in gunshot range. So, why again should I submit to random home inspections?

Like all 'balloons' of this type, it's a way to see how much the sheep will put up with, so the absurdity level can be cranked up slowly.

[DrCaleb]

Brenda Brenda:

Officially, you need a permit to have your house renovated... If you do your electrical yourself, you should have someone check it (been there done that...), same for gaspipes, framing, insulation, roofing, waterpipes, draining system...

No body DOES it, but it is required...

And how many of those permit less renovations end up on a television show? Do inspectors actually come in and check that everything is to 'code', upon seeing a reno that has no recorded permit?

No. It's about 'the war on drugs', and 'revenue'. Not about safety.