EPA makes it illegal to be a handyman - Seriously

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EPA makes it illegal to be a handyman - Seriously

Eric L.
Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2008 · 62 posts · 14 votes

I'm surprised I haven't seen this posted yet. I just came across this last night.

In April it will be illegal to work on your own house. Anyone doing work on properties built before 1978 have to now be a certified renovator and trained to do the work if you disturb more than 6 sq/ft inside or 20 sq/ft outside or any windows. It applies to you and all handymen that you hire. After you take the mandatory class it takes 60 days to complete the certification process, so you need to get this done now. The fine for not complying is $32,000!

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm

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Timothy W.
Attorney · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
Originally posted by NC Mark:
You're welcome to take a dump before 5:00 but it must be 'certified' and it will no doubt be taxed......


Crap and trade
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  • Steph C.Pro Member
    Real Estate Investor · Bristol County, MA · Member since 2010 · 153 posts · 37 votes
    16y

    Has anyone here taken the EPA RPP certified renovator course?

    I was thinking of having my husband take the course. They have one day courses around here with hands-on time at the end. I wasn't clear by reading the course descriptions if there is an exam at the end or if just "showing up" gets you certified.

    Thanks,
    Steph

    0Reply
  • Ibrahim Hughes
    Real Estate Consultant · Bloomfield, NJ · Member since 2010 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    Thanks Ingrid!

    Steph - from what I understand, it's just show up and get certified. No exam from what I hear.

    0Reply
  • Adrian G.
    Real Estate Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2008 · 318 posts · 30 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Eric Limbeck:
    I'm surprised I haven't seen this posted yet. I just came across this last night.

    In April it will be illegal to work on your own house. Anyone doing work on properties built before 1978 have to now be a certified renovator and trained to do the work if you disturb more than 6 sq/ft inside or 20 sq/ft outside or any windows. It applies to you and all handymen that you hire. After you take the mandatory class it takes 60 days to complete the certification process, so you need to get this done now. The fine for not complying is $32,000!

    http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm


    What is this world coming to tsk tsk.
    0Reply
  • Bienes Raices
    Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
    16y

    Does the EPA's definition of "disturbing" an area include just painting over it? I'm a little confused about this new law.

    0Reply
  • Bill Gulley
    Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    16y

    Hi, what I got a hold of was saying basically homeowers in their own homes were exempt doing work themselves. Like I said when this first came out, I guess I'll move into any place I need to renovate and do it myself. Looks too like it's on the contractor! Don't think I'll be buying any pre 78 syuff at least not until this has been well established so you know what to expect for reno costs!

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Ibrahim S:
    Thanks Ingrid!

    Steph - from what I understand, it's just show up and get certified. No exam from what I hear.

    The RRP course is a minimum training of 8 hours (it is more in certain states due to state specific requirements). An exam is held at end of those hours of training; it was a simple multiple choice exam, that seemed hard to fail.

    And I was told that it is imperative to show up on time, otherwise the number of hours aren't met, and the exam cannot be given, and hence no certification.

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    15y

    A story on whethter the "
    Remodeling Regulation May Backfire"

    0Reply
  • Rob BeemanPro Member
    Specialist · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2010 · 305 posts · 119 votes
    15y

    I was trained & certified last year, then went through the rigorous task of becoming accredited from the EPA to offer the training & certification. We are offering the classes in PA, NJ & DE.

    Many contractors & investors have questions about the law, so here is the EPA FAQ's website link:http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/rrp-faq.pdf . There are a zillion questions, however some of the most interesting ones are how the EPA defines being PAID. They define PAID as also collection of rents & profits, when it come to real estate investors. Check out the link for questions that may apply to you.

    0Reply
  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    15y

    I don't have a problem with the new EPA rules.Lead is a number one cause of problems with children among other things as well.

    It's simple when you buy an pre-1978 property you need to factor in the extra cost.If you plan and it's built in then no problem.There are properties after 1978 that still have lead paint so you have to watch out.They were supposed to stop using it but some people did it anyways.Not all properties before 1978 have lead paint either.

    If you have the test performed and it is clean you don't have to worry about it anyways.

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  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Joel Owens:
    ...There are properties after 1978 that still have lead paint so you have to watch out.They were supposed to stop using it but some people did it anyways...

    The EPA does not require you to have the testing performed on 1978 or newer construction. Nor are you required to follow the RRP protocols for 1978 or newer construction.

    And I agree that some people kept using lead-based paint after 1978.

    0Reply
  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    15y

    Yes Steve that is true.From a liability standpoint I would still test for it.

    I wouldn't want to give a tenant anymore ammo to work with to file litigation down the road.

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  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Joel Owens:
    Yes Steve that is true.From a liability standpoint I would still test for it.

    I wouldn't want to give a tenant anymore ammo to work with to file litigation down the road.

    There is no liability for not testing in 1978 or later construction. There is no legal requirement to do so, and you are actually BETTER OFF not doing testing for lead-based paint in construction from 1978 and later.

    Why would I say that? Look at seller's disclosures, and tenant disclosures. There is a section (disclosing known lead-based paint test results) that you can skip over when you check the box that says constructed in 1978 or later. But once you do a test, the test results must then be reported to the EPA! So your 1978 or later construction will then be required to do something that other such construction does not have to do - you will have to disclose the lead-based paint test results.

    Abide by the law; if the law is written to say that you will have to do something special for 1978 or later construction, then so be it. But until that happens ...

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