Evicted tenants got a lead paint test -- what to expect next?

[Aaron Hurst]

Hi BP,

I purchased an older (circa 1930) multi-unit building in Pennsylvania.  I inherited 3 sets of tenants under conditions that were concerning at the sale (i.e. no leases or rental history), but I understood that the former owner had basically checked out.  I knocked on doors myself and did get them all to sign an interim M2M lease, and now the building is under property management.

Fast forward almost 2 months... two tenants have never paid, and the management company filed for eviction.  (Were they confused by the management change?  Squatters?  Just short on money?  Who knows.)  Basically, no big surprise, and I'll eat the changeover costs to get some properly vetted tenants.

Surprise!  Today I received a packet containing the results of household lead paint testing, as ordered by a children's doctor and cc'd to the state and city.  As is typical for the building age, it came back positive.  I can't help but notice that the date was a few days after eviction filing.  Their lease did contain a lead paint disclosure (I had no information) and they acknowledged.

My question is: what am I in store for here?  Can anyone share a story of a similar experience?  Is this part of a legal aid strategy to block eviction?  Sue me for healthcare costs?  Or just retaliate by making the unit harder to rent?  I'm a little anxious as to what's coming down the pipe.

[Mark Gallagher]

@Aaron Hurst

I agree if it was disclosed that you don't have any reports, than there's no issue. 

I would see if you could offer them money to get out. Lead paint could be only the beginning, copper theft, vandalism, etc. could come down the pike. Might be best to give them $1000 to GTFO.