Landlords who turn a blind eye to tenants using or growing drugs could face criminal charges.
Police can also charge tenants in shared houses for letting other tenants take drugs
Offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act specifically pinpoint occupiers and people concerned in the management of premises as suspects if they allow illegal drug activity.
Lawyers are warning that police are cracking down on drugs and landlords have a responsibility to make sure nothing against the law goes on in their properties.
"The key point to remember is that if you tolerate criminal activity you are guilty of a criminal offence. And if you take rent you are seen as benefitting from the proceeds of crime, which means the police or Crown Prosecution Service can recover costs from you," said Niteji Davda, associate at law firm Cripps Harries Hall.
Landlords should regularly check their properties and immediately report any suspicious activity to the police.
Tenants who are guilty of immoral or illegal activities can be evicted more quickly than those with rent arrears or staying on after the end of tenancy agreements.
One landlord who ignored tenants growing cannabis at one of his buy to let homes was handed a two year suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out 300 hours of community service.
The tenants grew around 100 cannabis plants with a street value of £27,000 in the landlord’s buy to let with his knowledge – on condition they left at the end of the tenancy agreement.
The house was raided and the tenants were arrested. The landlord was charged with drug offences as well.
For a student landlord or a house in multiple occupation (HMO) investor, a drugs conviction could mean a breach of the proper person rules for holding an HMO licence.