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EPA Cites Enterprise Investment Co. for Failing to Provide Lead-Based Paint Information to Tenants in York, Pa.

Release Date: 10/19/2000
Contact Information: Donna Heron, 215-814-5113

Donna Heron, 215-814-5113

YORK, Pa. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking a $33,000 penalty against Enterprise Investment Co. Inc. of Shrewsbury, Pa. for allegedly violating a federal law requiring disclosure of lead-based paint hazards to residential tenants.

Enterprise, owner of a house on West Princess St. in York, Pa., allegedly violated the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 when renting the single-family home in January 1999.

Under the 1992 act, sellers and landlords of residential housing built before 1978 must disclose to purchasers and tenants the presence of known lead-based paint hazards (or lack of knowledge of hazards); provide a lead hazard information pamphlet; provide a standard warning statement in the lease on the dangers of lead-based paint; provide purchasers with a 10-day opportunity to conduct a lead-based paint inspection; and include disclosure and acknowledgment language in sales contracts and leases.

According to EPA, Enterprise did not inform the tenants whether it knew of any lead-based paint in the house, did not provide tenants with a lead-based paint hazard pamphlet, and did not include the required warning and disclosure statements in the lease. EPA=s current information indicates that Enterprise became aware of lead paint in the building after renting this home in January 1999.

The company has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalty.

EPA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are cooperating in a nationwide effort to protect tenants and homeowners from the health risks of lead-based paint. High blood levels of lead can cause permanent damage to the nervous system and widespread health problems, such as a reduced intelligence and attention span, hearing loss, stunted growth, reading and learning problems and behavioral difficulties. Young children, in particular, are most vulnerable because their nervous systems are still developing.

For more information on the Lead Disclosure Rule, please visit www.epe.gov/reg3wcmd/leadisc.htm
or www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/leadbase.ht