Jan. 13, 2008 - NJ residential landlords...take notice

New law includes single and two family rental units

Landlords of single family and multiple family residential homes should take notice.  On January 4, 2008, New Jersey Governor ,Corzine, signed into law legislation that expands the scope of lead paint inspection requirements for multiple dwelling units to also include single-family and two-family rental dwelling units here in Somerset and all of New Jersey. This new law is effective immediately.

The law mandates the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to inspect houses for lead based paint hazards at least once every five years. In addition, the new law requires every owner of a tenant-occupied single or two-family residential property to register with the Department of Community Affairs. Property owners who fail to comply with these registration requirements will be subject to a $200 penalty for each delinquent registration.

The law does not apply to properties that have been certified to be free of lead-based paint, were constructed in or after 1978, that are used as seasonal rental units, or properties certified as having a lead-free interior by a professional inspector.  Any company offering to perform evaluation or abatement in New Jersey must be certified.

The NJ Department of Community affairs provides a profile of certified lead abatement contractors.  You should contact the Lead Hazard Abatement Program by telephone at (609) 633-6224 or by fax at (609) 633-1040 to verify the contractor's certification status prior to having evaluation or abatement services performed.

Jan. 17, 2008 - RE: NJ residential landlords...take notice

Jan. 17, 2008 - RE: NJ residential landlords...take notice

For homeowners and rental property owners, New Jersey's Lead Safe program provides low interest deferred payment repayable loans directly to homeowners and property owners for reducing lead-based paint hazards in housing units. Owner-occupants of 1-4 family dwellings may qualify for deferred payment loans with provisions for forgiveness, if their total household income does not exceed 80% of the median income for the area.

Thanks for pointing this out, Lisa