Woonsocket landlords fined

WOONSOCKET – Two Woonsocket landlords will pay $7,000 for violating federal lead-based paint disclosure laws.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the landlords, Peter Fondini and Michael Walsh, failed to notify their tenants about the potential for lead paint in their homes, provide a copy of EPA’s lead hazard information pamphlet to four lessees or maintain proper records.
Fondini and Walsh rented their multi-unit residential properties on Chester Street in Woonsocket between 2005 and 2006, the EPA said.
The EPA said that the violated Disclosure Rule is meant to provide tenants adequate information about the risks associated with lead paint so that they can make informed decisions before signing a lease agreement.
Federal law requires that property owners, property managers and real estate agents leasing or selling housing built before 1978 provide the following information to tenants and buyers: an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet, called “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home;” a lead warning statement; statements disclosing any known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards; and copies of all available records or reports regarding lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards.
This information must be provided to tenants and buyers before they enter into leases or purchase and sales agreements. Property owners, property managers and real estate agents equally share responsibility for providing lead disclosure information and must retain copies of records regarding lead disclosures for three years.