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Re: New law adds health protection for renters
Posted by Deborah on 9/18/08
I can hardly believe it.
Thanks for this post, Sharon.
On 9/18/08, Sharon wrote:
> New law adds health protection for renters
> Landlords must warn tenants on air quality
> By Eric Reinagel • Press & Sun-Bulletin • September 6,
2008
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> http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
> AID=/20080906/NEWS01/809060345/1001
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> State Assemblywoman Donna A. Lupardo and state Sen. Thomas
> W. Libous tried to get two previous governors to approve a
> measure that would warn tenants about indoor air
> contamination. Both George E. Pataki and Eliot Spitzer
> vetoed the measure.
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> Gov. David A. Paterson signed the bill into law Friday.
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> While there were requirements to inform property owners of
> certain environmental threats, there was no system in
place
> to protect renters, said Lupardo, D-Endwell.
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> In Endicott, Hillcrest and other areas across the state,
> renters were unknowingly exposed to potential carcinogens
> such as trichlo-roethylene (TCE), even though landlords
> were notified about the contamination, she said.
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> "This new law will now close the current gaps that have
> allowed landlords to leave renters in communities like
> Endicott and Hillcrest uninformed of known or suspected
> environmental contamination," Lupardo said.
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> The new law, which goes into effect in 90 days, requires
> property owners who have indoor air contamination results
> indicating levels above state Department of Health
> guidelines to give tenants a DOH fact sheet that
identifies
> the compound or contaminant of concern, along with the
> guidelines for indoor air quality and health risks
> associated with exposure. Tenants can then request
specific
> test results from landlords if they desire, Lupardo said.
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> Landlords could be fined up to $500 for each violation, in
> addition to a fine of up to $500 for each day they are in
> violation.
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> Judith Enck, Paterson's top environmental adviser, expects
> the majority of landlords to comply, but some education
> will be needed to teach people about the new law.
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> Enck added, "I think after this law is on the books for a
> little while, tenants will get in the habit of asking."
> Tenants suspecting air contamination would also be wise to
> contact the local health department, she said.
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> The bill was first passed by the legislature in 2006,
after
> a report in the Press & Sun-Bulletin found renters in
> Endicott -- including young families with children --
> weren't informed about TCE pollution affecting their
> apartments. It was vetoed by Pataki, who characterized it
> as "overly broad" and was concerned permanent notification
> would be required for environmental contamination remedied
> years or decades earlier.
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> A second attempt hit a different kind of problem with
> Spitzer, who supported the intent of the bill but vetoed
it
> last August, saying it wasn't comprehensive enough and in
> some instances was too vague. He urged lawmakers to draft
> another bill, this time with help from his office.
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> According to Libous, R-Binghamton, one reason the bill was
> previously vetoed was that some New York City landlords
> were concerned about the potential of having to contact
> more than 40,000 tenants.
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> "I applaud the work (Lupardo) did on this bill. She
> authored it and re-authored it. This is long overdue,"
> Libous said. "I'm very pleased that people who cannot
> afford a home, or who prefer living in an apartment, will
> still be protected and notified if there are concerns
> dealing with the environment."
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