Today I am not going to talk about HAFA or distressed properties, no something else caught my eye in the CAR newsletter I received this week.
There is something special about owning an older home. Personally, I love older homes in older neighborhoods. For that reason, I love the MacDonald area. But older homes are built in a time when building rules and products where different and there are new laws to comply with when remodeling or perhaps selling a house.
Starting today, renovations that disturb lead-based paint in older residential dwellings and child-occupied facilities must generally comply with the Lead-Based Paint Renovation Rule of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Under the newly implemented rule, renovators of target housing built before 1978 must now be trained and EPA-certified to perform safe work practices to prevent lead contamination. Additionally, renovators must deliver EPA’s lead renovation pamphlet to an occupant within 60 days before a project begins (and, if mailed, at least seven days before a project begins). Renovators must also obtain the occupant’s signed acknowledgment of receipt or substitute documentation as specified.
The EPA issued this rule in 2008, but delayed implementation until now. The rule generally applies to building contractors, handymen, residential landlords, property managers, and anyone else who is paid to perform renovations or to direct workers to perform renovations as specified. The lead renovation rule does not apply to homeowners renovating the homes they live in. However, sellers of target housing must, among other things, disclose to their buyers any known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards (C.A.R. Form FLD).
Should you decide to sell your older home and are going to repaint the house, you need to keep the above in mind.
Have a beautiful day!
Mirjam