Another property management company has come under fire for allegedly not disclosing to tenants the presence of and/or their potential exposure to lead-based paint. CRM Rental Management in upstate New York is facing $140,000 in potential fines from the Environmental Protection Agency for 43 separate instances that took place across four buildings that the company manages.
EPA regulations require real estate management companies and property owners who sell or rent housing built before 1978 to provide renters or buyers with a form that contains a warning about the dangers of lead-based paint and discloses information about its presence. Tenants or buyers must then verify that they received the required warnings.
It’s a standard notice that is given to tenants and included with the rental agreement paperwork. It must be signed or initialed by the tenant, typically done at the same time they are signing the lease. Following the letter of this law can save landlords and property managers huge fines and legal troubles. But more importantly, it can save the health and lives of tenants, particularly children, who are most susceptible to lead poisoning. There’s simply no plausible explanation or reasonable excuse for not following the law here.
