It seems like everywhere we turn we're hearing about lead today. Whether you're hearing about water pollution in Flint, Michigan or lead based paint, it's time to listen up. This is especially true if you're a landlord because this could cost you millions of dollars.
Why is lead paint so costly today? According to the World Health Organization, lead can accumulate in your brain, liver, kidney, and even in your bones. There's no level of lead that's considered “safe.” However, children are of particular concern because high levels of exposure affect their central nervous system, causing them to enter a coma, have convulsions, and possibly die. Lead also causes irreversible neurological and behavioral issues.
Clearly, lead is a serious issue, but you're probably wondering how can tenants hold you responsible for it as a landlord. Basically, your tenants must prove you've violated the rules that are laid out in Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992. The exceptions to this rule include:
- Buildings constructed after January 1, 1978
- Buildings certified lead-free
- Vacation rentals
- Single rooms in a residential dwelling
- Buildings designed for disabled persons, unless children under the age of 6-years-old live there too
- Retirement communities, unless children under the age of 6-years-old live there too
So, besides making sure you're abiding by Title X, what else can you do? You must:
- Give your tenants a pamphlet informing them of the dangers associated with lead paint
- Include information notifying tenants about lead hazards in the leasing agreement
- Tell tenants about any lead-based paint or hazards you know a property has
- Maintain records certifying you've complied with federal laws in this regard
It's vital you take this information seriously so you're not responsible for paying a lead paint penalty.
ECOBOND® LBP, LLC is the nation’s leader in developing and distributing products that improve the protection of human health and safety from the hazards of lead in the home, workplace, and the environment. With over 15 years in patented and proven success, the ECOBOND® family of products have been extensively used in successfully treating lead hazards in over 11,000,000 tons of material while serving over 100,000 customers in the United States and Internationally.
To learn more visit www.ecobondlbp.com, view our lead paint treatment video or download our free Industry Report: http://www.LeadPaintRemovalReport.com