Hartford, Conn. Property Management Companies Settle with EPA for Lead Paint Disclosure Lapses
HARTFORD – July 22, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Rego Realty Corp. and six associated property-owning companies, and one individual, will pay a penalty to settle EPA claims that they failed to follow federal lead-based paint disclosure requirements when renting nineteen housing units in Hartford, Conn.
Under the settlement, Rego Realty Corp., along with Mancora LLC, Mochica LLC, Nazca LLC, Paracas LLC, Rosario LLC, and Stephanie LLC (all of which are affiliated corporate entities headquartered in Hartford), and an individual owner of a residential unit managed by Rego, will pay a $48,000 penalty and provide documentation of their compliance with the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act and the Lead-based Paint Disclosure Rule.
The Disclosure Rule requires owners/managers of rental properties to provide prospective renters both with general information about lead-based paint risks and to provide specific information on whether or not there is known lead-based paint in a rental unit prior to the individual signing a lease. By fully disclosing the required information, individuals can make an informed decision about whether to lease a particular property. The settlement also requires the settling companies’ staff who either renovate, repair or do painting in residential units that may have lead-based paint be properly trained to prevent releasing uncontrolled lead paint dust/debris during their work. Both requirements are intended to protect people, especially children, from exposure to lead.
The settlement resolves EPA allegations that Rego and the property owners violated the federal Toxic Substance Control Act when they failed to provide tenants with lead-based paint disclosure information at 19 rental units they rented between Jan. 2011 and Jan. 2013 in Hartford. Overall, the companies provide about 600 rental units of housing around Hartford, much of which was built before 1978 when lead-based paints were still being used on residential properties. The properties involved in this settlement are located on Adelaide, Buckingham, Congress, Elliott, Hudson, Lincoln, Park, Wadsworth, Garden, and Winter Streets, Allen Place, and Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.
Under Federal laws, owners and managers of residential properties built before 1978 must provide prospective tenants notice about lead-based paint prior to signing a lease. They must also ensure that any staff or contractors who do renovation, repair, or repainting in pre-1978 housing are trained and certified in lead-safe work practices.
Exposure to lead is especially dangerous for infants and children, and can cause lowered intelligence, reading and learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, hyperactivity and behavior problems. Adults with high lead levels can suffer difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, nervous system disorders, memory problems and muscle and joint pain.
More information: Lead Paint Disclosure Requirements http://www2.epa.gov/lead/real-estate-disclosure
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017
