I hope by now everyone is aware of the new EPA Certification requirements regarding Lead Paint. Boring? Yes, but heavy fines are more excitement than I can handle. Since I have been managing rental properties (20 years now) lead paint disclosures had to be used to warn tenants in houses built prior to 1978 not to let their kids eat the paint.
Apparently, that warning has not been enough to satisfy the govt. Now they have created a whole new burocracy to protect paint eating children. (Despite my obvious sarcasm, please don't think that I am insensative to lead poisoning in children. I have 5 of my own). However, I am not aware that this is a huge problem requiring a bunch of new laws, expensive requirements and heavy fines, training and certification of painters, hiring new inspectors to enforce etc. Sounds a lot like federal job creation and revenue enhancement at our expense.
In case you are not familier with the new requirements, here is a summary:
"The Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program" (RRP) is a federal regulatory program affecting contractors, property managers and construction trades who disturb painted surfaces. Failure to comply could cost you up to $37,500 in fines per day.
The EPA requires that anyone who performs renovations, repairs & painting on child-occupied homes, child care facilities, and schools built prior to 1978 that disturb lead-based paint shall be Certified by EPA and that they are or used certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training profiders to follow lead-safe work practices, YOU MUST be certified by October 1, 2010"
So if you own a rental property built prior to 1978 you had better hope that your Property Manager complies with this requirement by makeing sure all painters and repair persons have are certified. (Yes, ours is).
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The LeadCheck® Swab is the only EPA-recognized test kit in the country. We have been in the business of protecting families and contractors from the dangers of lead-exposure for over 23 years. The swabs are inexpensive, easy to use, reliable, and above all accurate. Our test kits were given rave reviews in an independent study done by the National Institute of Science and Technology. They have been featured on Oprah, Dr. Oz, This Old House, and in prominent news publications including Newsweek Magazine, USA Today, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe.
ReplyDeleteWe are now playing a huge role in RRP Compliance since all contractors must now check all houses built before 1978 for lead.
Please visit: www.leadcheck.com for more information.
Or if you are a contractor looking for updates on the RRP Rule or EPA Compliance, visit our blog: www.leadcheck.com/blog