BOSTON -- A Massachusetts apartment complex owner and landlord faces a penalty of $83,575 for charges by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that he violated federal lead paint disclosure rules at his apartment complex in Springfield., MA.
According to EPA, 122 Chestnut, LLC failed to provide tenants with lead hazard information pamphlets; failed to include lead warning statements in leases; failed to include a disclosure statement regarding lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in leases; and failed to include lists of records or reports pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in leases.
The EPA said the federal Disclosure Rule is meant to ensure that tenants get adequate information about the risks associated with lead paint before signing a lease.
"Here in New England exposure to lead paint is a serious public health concern for kids, because so much of our housing was built before 1978 when lead paint was banned," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "By providing the required lead paint notification to renters, landlords help prevent lead poisoning because then families are aware of potential lead hazards in homes and they can make informed decisions."
Federal law requires that property owners, property managers and real estate agents leasing or selling housing built before 1978 provide certain information to tenants and buyers, including: an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet, called “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home;” a lead warning statement; statements disclosing any known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards; and copies of all available records or reports regarding lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. This information must be provided to tenants and buyers before they enter into leases or purchase and sales agreements. Property owners, property managers and real estate agents equally share responsibility for providing lead disclosure information and must keep copies of records regarding lead disclosures for three years.
Read the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's press release.
According to EPA, 122 Chestnut, LLC failed to provide tenants with lead hazard information pamphlets; failed to include lead warning statements in leases; failed to include a disclosure statement regarding lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in leases; and failed to include lists of records or reports pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in leases.
The EPA said the federal Disclosure Rule is meant to ensure that tenants get adequate information about the risks associated with lead paint before signing a lease.
"Here in New England exposure to lead paint is a serious public health concern for kids, because so much of our housing was built before 1978 when lead paint was banned," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "By providing the required lead paint notification to renters, landlords help prevent lead poisoning because then families are aware of potential lead hazards in homes and they can make informed decisions."
Federal law requires that property owners, property managers and real estate agents leasing or selling housing built before 1978 provide certain information to tenants and buyers, including: an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet, called “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home;” a lead warning statement; statements disclosing any known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards; and copies of all available records or reports regarding lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. This information must be provided to tenants and buyers before they enter into leases or purchase and sales agreements. Property owners, property managers and real estate agents equally share responsibility for providing lead disclosure information and must keep copies of records regarding lead disclosures for three years.
Read the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's press release.
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