DEFENSIVE LEAD POISONING STEPS FOR BALTIMORE & DC LANDLORDS

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Charles Jerome Ware, Attorneys & Counselors, LLC, is a premier Maryland-based national landlord lead-paint poisoning defense law firm with a well-established and highly-deserved reputation for successful representation of defendants in Baltimore and DC lead cases. For an initial courtesy consultation, contact the firm at charlesjeromeware@msn.com,  (410) 730-5016  or  (410) 720-6129.

If you are residential landlord who owns homes in Baltimore and DC that were built before 1978, there is a very good chance that these residential units contain lead paint (particularly inside on walls, etc.).  In Baltimore, particularly, lead paint is a public health crisis. Even though the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has repeatedly stated that "undisturbed" or "good condition" is usually not harmful to humans, diligent maintenance of properties by landlords must be paramount in avoiding lead paint harm to residents, and consequently costly lawsuits.

A few, of many, defensive lead poisoning steps for landlords follow:

1.  Remember the lead paint disclosure laws, which apply to homes built before 1978. Under these federal and state laws landlords are required to inform residents or applicants to rent or buy residential units if the risk of lead paint exists in the property.

2. MAINTENANCE, maintenance, maintenance. Landlords must document their diligent maintenance on the property. Avoid, or correct immediately, "disturbed" lead paint : no scraping, peeling, dusty, etc., lead paint allowed.

3. Hire lead-certified maintenance firms to do repairs or renovations.

4. Do paint inspections and lead risk assessments regularly. Document your findings.

5. Test the homes' drinking water for traces of lead .

6. Seriously consider replacing lead-containing plumbing fixtures.