{"id":1899,"date":"2017-09-01T16:19:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-01T20:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cap\/?p=1899"},"modified":"2024-11-18T16:54:42","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T21:54:42","slug":"information-on-vermonts-lead-law-and-the-landlord-restoration-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cap\/information-on-vermonts-lead-law-and-the-landlord-restoration-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Information on Vermont’s Lead Law and the Landlord Restoration Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Landlord Restoration Program (Program) launched in 2017<\/a> by the Attorney General\u2019s Office and the Department of Health. The Program provided: (i) information and resources to landlords, (ii) extended time for repairs, and (iii) a waiver of state enforcement for past non-compliance. The Program, which concluded in 2018, was piloted in five Vermont towns that had elevated blood lead levels in children: Rutland, Bennington, Bellows Falls\/Windsor, Barre, and St. Albans. Compliance rates suggest that the pilot program was effective in increasing property owner compliance. Compliance rates went up by an average of 14%, with several towns seeing around 20% increases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A copy of the complete report on the Landlord Restoration Program can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are EMP certified, or have an inspector who is EMP certified, you can comply right away by completing your EMPs and filing your statement immediately:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

File your annual EMP Compliance Statement<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can’t complete the EMPs right now. What can I do to get in compliance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are steps you can take to get in compliance with Vermont’s Lead Law:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Get EMP certified or hire an EMP contractor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Do your EMPs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. File your EMP compliance statement<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    When do I perform EMPs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    EMPs are annual obligations<\/strong>.  Each year you must inspect your rental property and safely repair deteriorated paint. If you receive a letter to comply within 30 days from the Department of Health, you can request an extension by completing the Department of Health’s Extension of Time form<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How do I perform EMPs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You can become EMP certified yourself, or hire an EMP contractor, visit: www.leadsafevermont.org<\/a>. Beware of shortcuts! Make sure your EMP statement is accurate before you file. There are significant penalties for falsely certifying EMP compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My property has been gutted and renovated. Does the law still apply to me?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Yes! If your building has been restored, it still may contain lead. To exempt you from annual EMP filings, a third-party contractor must perform an inspection and prepare a report. This generally costs $500-$1000, and you may be eligible for financial assistance<\/a> if you rent to low or moderate-income tenants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can find information here on hiring a lead contractor<\/a>, and here is information for lead contractors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What if a tenant makes a complaint against me for a lead violation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you come into compliance voluntarily, there will be no State<\/strong> enforcement for past noncompliance. However, the state cannot waive a private claim a tenant may have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What if I don\u2019t file an EMP statement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Failure to comply with the lead law, may leave you exposed to a complaint or future enforcement action. Our goal is to support the efforts of Vermonters who wish to comply with the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Questions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Contact the Vermont Dept. of Health, Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program, by phone at 802-863-7220 or online at www.healthvermont.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Disclaimer<\/a><\/blockquote>