Q. I went to look at a house owned by a Yid who previously rented to someone who was growing drugs there and possibly running a chemical drug lab, as verified by a home inspector who told me to call the police and ask if there have been any drug raids on the house as it will affect the value/price that I should offer for the house. Is there any halacha preventing me from doing this?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that you are allowed to consult the police if there are any records on criminal actions or crimes committed in that property.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
I am not sure about the Halacha, but as a Realtor, I can tell you that a "drug" house, carries a stigma that kind of never goes away. Technically the Seller Agent has to disclose if the house was a drug house, and even if the problem was remediated, some banks may not give you a mortgage on such a house. If you are working with an agent they should be able to put in clauses to fully protect you and verify for you all material facts. Whatever you do, it should be BEHATZLACHA!
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