Doing business safely

Undermining activities

Increasingly, business owners are at risk of becoming victims of undermining activities and business abuse. As a business owner, you run the risk of abuse of (business) premises, extortion and even internal crime (e.g., theft of your property). Criminals try to obtain services in various ways. They always look for vulnerabilities. Health therefore that you are always critical towards suppliers, buyers and customers. Don't forget your own staff either! Criminals will also try to get things done through your employees.

Misuse of business premises

It is increasingly common for criminals to approach business owners to rent vacant business premises. Do you rent out (business) premises? Then be alert to false tenants.
Is the tenant growing hemp or manufacturing drugs in your (business) premises? Then you as a landlord will also be held responsible. Even if you don't know anything about it. This means that you will then pay for the energy costs, the disposal costs of dismantling the laboratory and other damage to your premises. These costs can amount to many thousands of euros. So get your affairs in order!

Tips and signals

How do you avoid renting out (business) premises and unwittingly coming into contact with the criminal world of soft and hard drugs?
We give you some tips and urgent advice below. And we have listed a number of signs that may indicate drug crime.

What to do.

Undermining crime affects us all. But only together can we stop subversion.
Do you see, hear or smell danger? Do you feel something is wrong? Report it. Always!
Call 112 if every second counts and call 0900-8844 if there is no urgency, but the police do. You can also report anonymously through the hotline Report Crime Anonymously. Call 0800-7000.

More information?

After reading this, do you still have questions about undermining? Then please contact Kirsty Lochten or Frits Driessen.

Tips on entering into a lease

It is important to have a good understanding of who you are dealing with and what the tenant will be doing in the property. It starts with signing a lease. In doing so, pay attention to the following:

  • Make your own copy of ID
  • Check the authenticity of the ID (is the photo and signature correct?)
  • Make a copy of a pay stub with bank account number
  • Make a copy of a bank statement from that bank account
  • Do not accept cash payments
  • Agree with the tenant that you will regularly inspect the premises
  • Sign out from the power company and have your tenant sign in
  • Ask the tenant to register in the municipality's Basic Registration of PersonsBRP)

Tips on monitoring your rental property

During the rental period, you as the landlord are expected to supervise your property. Visiting the property once a year is certainly not enough!

Hemp cultivation has a cycle of only eight to 10 weeks. Drug production is a continuous process. Health at an inspection that you get to see all rooms in the premises. Even one small space can be profitable. Realize that storing supplies (illegally), such as chemicals and equipment, is also a criminal offense. If the tenant of your premises refuses a visit from you, alarm bells should start ringing. So make clear arrangements about this in the lease.

Signs that may indicate a hemp farm or drug lab

  • Smell of hemp or sweet chemical odor
  • Noise pollution such as buzzing noise from exhaust systems or mechanical noises
  • Additional vent pipes in the roof
  • An enhanced supply and return of air
  • Bright glow of artificial light and flashing lights
  • Light that is always on or especially at night
  • Construction and lugging activities at odd times
  • Warm walls, an uncovered roof when it snows
  • Condensation on windows
  • Flattened windows or systematically closed curtains
  • Residents who are almost never home or only at set hours
  • Surveillance cameras
  • Coming and going of vans, small trucks or other vehicles
  • Presence of jerry cans or blue barrels
  • Evasive behavior of the tenant/resident