LANDLORDS are warned to be vigilant about checking prospective tenants' credentials after a rented property in Kent was turned into a cannabis factory.

Tenants had rented out a property in Barham, near Canterbury in October and left after Christmas, and the landlord subsequently discovered the property had been altered in order to grow herbal cannabis.

He found ventilation holes had been cut into the walls and the ceiling, and reported the incident to the police.

PC Paul Gibson from the Canterbury rural neighbourhood team said: "In this short time, a full yield of herbal cannabis would have been grown on the premises.

"Landlords can help prevent their properties being used in this way by checking out tenants’ credentials and making regular visits to the outside of their property.

"If windows are covered or neighbours notice limited movements to and from the property, please contact police.

"Landlords should also check on the electricity usage at the property, or ask utility companies for assistance. It costs thousands of pounds in electricity to grow cannabis and landlords could be left footing huge bills."

Landlords were also advised to be very wary if tenants make excuses in order to not hand over bank details.