MARYLAND LEAD PAINT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BALTIMORE LANDLORDS: TIPS BY CHARLES JEROME WARE, LLC, ATTORNEYS

www.charlesjeromeware.com   "Here to make a Difference."


In an effort to reduce possible lead poisoning claims and assist in the defense of lawsuits being pursued , we recommend that Baltimore residential rental landlords consider the following precautionary measures :


(1) Prior to renting out a residential unit to a new tenant, landlords should require the prospective tenant to disclose the names and ages of all persons who will reside in the residence.
(2) Landlords should inspect the residential unit with the prospective tenant and require the tenant to sign an inspection sheet confirming that each room is free of peeling, flaking, or other defective paint conditions.
(3) The landlord should conduct periodic inspections of each residential unit and follow the same procedure with regard to the maintenance of inspection sheets signed by tenants.
(4) Landlords should treat all complaints of peeling or flaking paint conditions as emergencies requiring immediate attention.
(5) Landlords should retain MDE-licensed and insured contractors with experience in the field to perform any required lead abatement work.
(6) Landlords should paint residential units ( at least on the interior)  on a reasonably regular basis (perhaps every three or four years or so) and maintain copious records of all maintenance, repair, and paint work performed within each residential unit.
(7) If the landlord is denied access to an apartment to perform an inspection or maintenance work, the landlord is advised to document the denial within the tenant's folder and follow up with a letter to the tenant confirming the failure to gain access to the residential unit.


[ Charles Ware is a premier Maryland-based lead paint and lead poisoning defense attorney who is nationally known and respected for his successful legal representation of landlord clients who have been sued in lead poisoning cases.  For an initial courtesy consultation, contact Attorney Charles Ware at (410) 730-5016 or (410) 720-6129. He and his colleagues can help you.]