100% Illegal. But I am completely Lawful in all my endeavors.
I dont steal, commit fraud, or hurt anyone, so I dont break any actual laws. Just a few acts and statutes.
Its not "hidden". I live in a 1 bedroom condo, I only rent from people that are private owners and only own one or 2 places. I always avoid rental buildings because they have on site managers/landlords.
I live in the living room, and the single bedroom is 100% dedicated to the grow, or it was anyway. I had the tent, and in the closet I had a veg set up, and the rest of the room was for air exchange and storage.
Im moving into a 2 bedroom so it should be a little better. Im not in any way worried about cops or anything, Im way too small time for them to even care. Theres way too many grows in BC as it is, and I live in the grow op capitol of Canada. Im more worried about landlords finding out, because people might get mad, they dont really understand the situation and assume every grower is a gang banger with guns, and selling crack and heroin.
I have a certain way of screening landlords/agents when I do walkthroughs. Simple body language and even the right questions make all the difference. I always ask the inspection/walkthrough policy, but I throw it in with a bunch of other questions. Like instead of just asking how often they do walkthroughs, I will say
"Is there anything else I would want to know before applying? I have a small cat, he is neutered, etc, I dont smoke often but when I do I smoke outside. What is your walkthrough policy? My last landlord would do inspections whether I was there or not, its always nice if we can both arrange to be there."
I try to ask a bunch of general questions instead of strait up asking when they do inspections...that would be kinda obvious. Anyway, the place Im moving, I said that to the lady, she said they will do a walkthrough when I move in (to see current damage), and once a year with 48 hours notice...lol.
Dont be afraid to ask critical questions, just throw it in with a bunch of other stuff so it doesnt sound like your fishing for a grow house. Its good to get them thinking you work out of town a lot too, its always nice to be able to say your gone for a few weeks...if you need time to clean up or finish a crop.
Anything is possible if your determined and plan everything out. The most important thing of all is to Plan for Failure. I go into a new place Knowing I very well may be moving out in 2 months if things start going bad. Hope for the best and plan for the worst.
Few more months and I will have a mortgage, once I own a place then I can set up a real grow room.
The only reason I use the homebox is because I wanted to design a "crop kit" a 100% portable grow op that can be transported and set up again in under 12 hours with out leaving any major damage to the property.
It would be nice to be more efficient, but until then Portability is the most important thing for me.