Sorrell's sights on lead paint issues

MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Property management has been a hot topic in Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell's office lately.

Ten days before Sorrell will host a workshop for landlords in search of help dealing with lead paint, the Democrat settled with Montpelier rental property management company Black Ink, accused of not obeying the state's lead laws.

"It is time for property management companies to step up and make sure their properties are in compliance with Vermont law," Sorrell said.

"This is not the first time our office has had to take action against a property management company, but we hope it is the last."

Black Ink is required to inspect in buildings occupied by any building in which a child 6 years or younger lives by July 1 and must pay a $5,000 civil penalty. It must inspect all other buildings by Oct. 15.

The workshop is free to landlords and property managers and will be held in Montpelier.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court is currently mulling the State's landmark lawsuit that charged paint companies that sold lead-based paint before its federal ban in 1978 with causing a public nuisance.

Those companies may be on the hook for Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch's $2.4 billion abatement plan.

From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien via e-mail at john@legalnewsline.com.