For eight years in the 1990s, Attorney Charles Ware hosted the extremely popular legal advice radio program "The Lawyer's Mailbox"; the Number One (#1)legal advice radio program in the Mid-Atlantic Region,on WEAA - 88.9 FM, Morgan State University Radio in Baltimore, Maryland.
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

TIPS FOR MARYLAND LANDLORDS : ASSESSING LEAD PAINT LIABILITY

www.charlesjeromeware.com                " Here to make a Difference."
Charles Jerome Ware, LLC is a premier, Maryland-based, landlord lead-based paint defense law firm. For an initial courtesy consultation, contact the firm at (410) 720-6129. We can help you if you have been named as a defendant in a lead paint poisoning lawsuit.


Lead paint is one of the more prevalent and serious environmental health hazards in residential housing built in Maryland before 1978. It is particularly a problem in Baltimore City. Maryland landlords need to be aware of their obligations to disclose any existence of lead paint in or on their residential rental property, and their responsibilities in protecting residents from exposure to this "heavy metal" toxic substance.


The Federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, commonly known as TITLE X, covers all dwellings constructed prior to 1978, and requires rental housing owners or their property managers to notify tenants that the property may contain lead-based paint. Testing for lead-based paint or removal is not currently required under Federal law, BUT, in order to comply with Federal, State, and Local Laws, landlords, etc., must follow these steps:


(1) OBEY any state or local lead hazard reduction laws, some of which require testing and careful maintenance, abatement, or removal of lead-based paint.
(2) DISCLOSE known lead-based paint hazards on your property.
(3) PROVIDE residents with an information pamphlet from the  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), titled " Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." You can get this pamphlet online from The EPA website.


All housing built AFTER January 1, 1978, along with rental units that meet any of the following conditions are exempt from Federal lead-based paint disclosure regulations:
(a) housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities;
(b) Short-term rentals of 100 days or fewer;
(c) Certain university housing, such as dormitory housing or rentals in fraternity or sorority houses;
(d) Zero bedroom units, such as studios, lofts, or efficiencies; and
(e) Housing that has been inspected and certified as lead-free by a Maryland state-accredited lead inspector.

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