Press Releases

Attorney General Taking Action To Reduce Lead Hazards In Windham And Bennington Counties

CONTACT: Robert F. McDougall, Assistant Attorney General, (802) 828-5506

November 13, 2009

Twenty-two of the largest landlords in Windham and Bennington Counties are the recipients of letters from the Office of Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell requesting that they demonstrate compliance with the Vermont lead law. Attorney General Sorrell announced today that his office recently mailed the letters requesting information on rental properties built prior to 1978. Landlords have been given 90 days to show that they are in compliance with the law. “Our goal remains increased landlord awareness and overall compliance with the lead law,” said Attorney General William H. Sorrell. “Lead poisoning is a serious, but preventable problem in Vermont and we know that most Vermont landlords want to work with us to ensure that their properties are safe and in compliance with Vermont law.”

The mailings to Windham and Bennington County landlords continues a state-wide initiative of the Attorney General’s Office. Similar letters were previously mailed to landlords in Rutland, Chittenden, Windsor, Orange, Franklin and the three Northeast Kingdom counties. The Attorney General anticipates mailing similar letters to Vermont landlords in other geographic areas of Vermont in coming months and plans repeat mailings to some of the larger counties.

“These letters appear to be having an effect,” said Attorney General Sorrell. “State-wide compliance with the lead law is on the increase and we hope to see that trend continue.” For information concerning the duties of owners, managers, and sellers of pre-1978 housing, and for copies of court documents from recent enforcement actions involving lead, see the Attorney General’s website at: http://www.atg.state.vt.us and click on “Lead.”