Fowler Realty Lead Paint Warning

Lead Paint Warning

If it was built before 1978

Information on an Important Lead Base Paint Law

 On December 6th, 1996 a new federal law became effective. This law applies to houses listed with REALTORS as well as For Sale By Owners. If the house you are buying was built before 1978, the seller must do the following.

• Inform the buyers or tenant before signing a contract or lease of any lead paint known to exist and provide reports of such findings.
• Give buyers or tenants a free Environmental Protection Agency brochure, entitled "Protecting Your Family From Lead in Your Home"

Penalties for not complying are up to a $10,000 fine and or one year in prison plus the buyer or the tenant who experiences health problems relating to undisclosed lead can sue a seller, agent or landlord for three times the amount of damages plus court cost and attorney fees.

Include in the sales contract or lease agreement a disclosure statement concerning the potential presence of lead paint and give buyers (but not tenants) 10 days if they choose to conduct lead inspections or risk assessment of the property.  Clients should be made aware of this before they make a contract.

For full information on what must be done and the forms that must be used, send us a request by clicking on the link below:

Click Here for the Form