Owner and Rental Agent Settle Violations over Lead-based Paint Hazards at York, Pa. Properties

PHILADELPHIA (November 12, 2008) - The E.P.A. has settled violations of a federal law requiring disclosure of information on lead-based paint hazards with property owner, Kurt A. Blake, and rental agent, Quality Property Management Inc., of York, Pa.

E.P.A. cited the property owner and rental agency for violating the disclosure requirements of the Residential Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction Act. This law requires sellers and landlords of residential housing built before 1978 to disclose to purchasers and tenants the presence of known lead-based paint hazards (or lack of knowledge of hazards). Landlords must provide a lead hazard information pamphlet; provide a standard warning statement in the lease on the dangers of lead-based paint; and include disclosure and acknowledgment language in leases.

According to EPA, Quality Property Management Inc., which manages rental properties for Kurt A. Blake, did not provide the required lead hazard information and lead hazard disclosures to tenants in 2 leases signed in 2006 on rental properties located on Smith St., and West Cottage Place in York, Pa.

Quality Property Management Incorporated has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $11,284. The owner of the 2 properties, Kurt Blake, will pay a penalty of $1,128 as well as spend a minimum of $10,156 to complete a lead-based paint abatement project. The plan will include completing a risk assessment at the 2 properties and replacing any windows, sashes, door frames, and other components identified in the assessment as containing lead-based paint.

E.P.A. is cooperating with other federal, state, and local agencies to protect tenants and homeowners from the health risks of lead-based paint. High blood levels of lead can cause permanent damage to the nervous system and widespread health problem, such as a reduced intelligence and attention span, hearing loss, stunted growth, reading and learning problems and behavioral difficulties. Young children, in particular, are most vulnerable because their nervous systems are still developing.

For more information on environmental, health, and legal issues involving lead, please visit www.epa.gov/lead/index.html.

During FY2008, E.P.A. concluded enforcement actions requiring polluters to spend an estimated $11 billion on pollution controls, clean-up and environmental projects, an all time record for EPA. After these activities are completed, E.P.A. expects yearly pollution reductions of in excess of 3 billion pounds.

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