Whitehorse landlords would be required to keep a close eye on their tenants under a new city drug-house bylaw.

John Taylor, manager of the city's bylaw department, told council Tuesday his office was again bringing forward a controlled substances property bylaw.

The new bylaw, he said, would give the city the right to go into drug houses busted by Safer Community and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) investigators to ensure properties were safe for habitation.

'As we all know, back in 2005 six houses in Whitehorse were found to be involved in illegal activity.

'This bylaw sets out standards that must be met before buildings are to be used for general purposes.'

The bylaw would also allow the city to levy heavy fines and require landlords to pay for expensive rehabilitation of the property to bring it up to livable standards.

'It all falls back to the landlord.

'If you're checking your property once a month, you'll probably be able to spot it.'

Taylor said the bylaw had undergone minor changes since being introduced in April.

He said the city would also be sending a message to illegal drug producers that they were not welcome in Whitehorse.

'We hope to send a message to the criminal element that Whitehorse is not open for business,' Taylor said.

'Every time they do have to use their illegal money to clean up something like this, there's consequences to pay ... within their own organization.'

In 2005, the RCMP busted six marijuana grow operations operating in Whitehorse.

Four of the homes were located in Copper Ridge at 23 Black Bear Lane, 22 Tigereye Cres., 86 Falcon Dr. and 208 Falcon Dr.

The two remaining homes were located at 41 Grouse Cres. in Arkell and 16 Sitka Cres. in the Spruce Hill subdivision.

Taylor said the bylaw would help to ensure that houses tainted with mould or chemicals from drug production would be cleaned up and safe for people to live in.

'These problems continue after the house has been put up for resale.'

According to council documents, houses used for drug production often have a number of problems as a result of illegal activities.

'When a grow operation is established, the power source coming into the house is compromised, along with possible alterations being made to the structure of the house to accommodate the illegal activities.

'Buildings that have been used for grow operations absorb chemical residues, pesticides, and fertilizers (used to manufacture amphetamines and grow controlled substances) and retain moulds or fungi, all of which are difficult to clean out of a building,' according to council documents.

'This bylaw sets out standards that must be met to re-establish the building for general use.'

Coun. Doug Graham said he was concerned innocent landlords would be hit with financial penalties that were no fault of their own.

'I'm still concerned about the poor unsuspecting person who leases or rents without a tenancy agreement who is blissfully unaware of the circumstances, and then gets hammered.'