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Sumthin-Sumthin44692 t1_irjorhy wrote

Reply to comment by plugubius in Pot twist: Cannabis firm refuses federal judge's ruling because its business isn't legal under federal law by Doc_Dante

There is. A landlord can be held liable for conspiracy if they know crimes are taking place on their property. This comes up with so-called “crystal palaces” where motel owner knowingly rent rooms to meth users and prostitutes

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plugubius t1_irjs909 wrote

>A landlord can be held liable for conspiracy if they know crimes are taking place on their property.

I agree, and I said as much. That potential liability is different from whether the lease contract is enforceable.

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Sumthin-Sumthin44692 t1_irjwei1 wrote

A landlord renting a unit for an illegal purpose can be criminally liable as a co-conspirator. The lease is also void so they won’t be entitled to contractual rent. A court could order some payment to the landlord based on equitable principles but the doctrine of unclean hands and public policy considerations would most likely bar or limit recovery.

Bottom line: landlords, don’t lease out space for criminal activity.

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