Are your landlord clients in compliance with lead laws? Since taking office in 2019, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has been committed to fighting childhood lead poisoning by holding accountable landlords that allow lead paint-related hazards to thrive in low-income rental properties. Neronha's latest efforts include lawsuits filed against four R.I. landlords who failed to follow state lead poisoning prevention laws.
In all four cases — three in Providence and one in Burrillville — the findings included significant lead hazards and lead poisoning of a child. The settlements require the remediation of lead contamination at the homes and levy penalties totaling more than $700,000.
Ensure your landlord clients are in compliance with lead laws by utilizing the resources below:
Educate your clients about their requirements as landlords:
Make sure that landlords comply with lead requirements for dwellings that were built before 1978.
- This includes providing a Lessor’s Lead Disclosure, the EPA lead booklet, “How to Protect Families from
Lead In Your Home” with the Rhode Island insert and a copy of the most lead
certificate to potential tenants.
Search for lead certificates and lead violations: click here
Resources for landlords:
- Various state and local programs offer loans, tax credits, and other lead remediation assistance to landlords but the majority of these programs are means-tested.
Lead Hazard Mitigation Program: Department of Health (ri.gov)
For more information, please contact the RIAR Legal Department at 401-432-6945 or email [email protected].