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Property Management Company and Property Owners in Richmond Cited for Alleged Lead Disclosure Violations

Release Date: 8/18/2003
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The owners and the management company of four residential apartment buildings in Richmond, Va. have been cited for allegedly violating a federal law requiring disclosure of lead-based paint hazards to residential tenants.

Ronald H. and Patricia L. Hunt own the residential rental properties at 1124 North 28th Street and 1813 North 29th St. Patricia L. Hunt and David E. Hunt own the residential rental property at 3015 Barton Ave. J. Edward Dunivan owns the residential rental property at 2405 Third Ave. Genesis Properties, Inc., manages these properties.

These owners and Genesis are being cited for failing to comply with the regulatory requirements for disclosure of information pertaining to lead-based paint under the lead disclosure rule. The rule requires that owners, landlords, and agents renting or selling residential property built prior to 1978 must disclose to tenants or purchasers information pertaining to lead-based paint. All of the above properties were built prior to 1978.

EPA alleges that correspondence sent to the owners and property management firm from the City of Richmond Department of Health citing lead-paint conditions and/or hazards in the rental properties was not disclosed to 10 groups of tenants over a three-year period before they leased the properties. This information could have enabled the renters to take proper precautions to avoid their children’s exposure to lead-based paint present in their apartments. Penalties have not yet been proposed, but the statutory maximum per violation is $11,000.

Renters for five of the 10 apartments had children under the age of six when they entered into the lease. The other five renters had children ranging from seven to 15 years old at the time they entered into the lease. Children under age six are especially vulnerable to the dangerous effects of lead poisoning which can impair their neurological development.

The parties have the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and any proposed penalties.

Check out www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/leadisc.htm for additional information on the lead disclosure rule.