Two Boston-area landlords have agreed to pay a $10,887 penalty and spend nearly $100,000 on abatement to settle federal allegations involving lead disclosure laws.
My Van Nguyen and Xem Thi Le violated federal lead real-estate disclosure requirements at rental units they owned in 2010 and 2011 in Dorchester, MA, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Under the settlement announced Monday (Dec. 15), the landlords agree to perform improvements on five Dorchester properties.
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Landlords will replace windows, doors and siding coated in lead paint and perform other abatement at five rental properties, including 47-49 Savin Hill Ave. (pictured).
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“The lead abatement projects required under this settlement will result in significant public health protections, because the work will remove lead hazards from these residential units,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.
Documents in the case were not immediately available for review Wednesday.
Lead-Abatement Projects
The improvements, valued at $97,977, include replacing lead-paint-containing windows, doors and wood siding as well as other abatement work at the five properties, the EPA said.
All of the properties covered by the settlement were built in the early 1900s and are located in a historically disadvantaged “environmental justice” area, according to the agency.
Old windows, doors and wood siding in housing built before 1978 are known to contribute to lead poisoning in children, the EPA noted.
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The disclosure law is meant to ensure that prospective tenants have enough information about lead paint in general and at a property to make an informed decision about renting there.
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Exposure to lead paint is a serious health concern in New England, due to the age of the housing stock.
The lead-paint abatement work must be done within two years. Wipe sampling will be done when the work is completed to ensure that no lead-based paint dust remains at the work site, the EPA added.
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