When buying a home, many homebuyers in Boston may not realize that they are entitled to know if the property they are looking into presents any exposure to lead-based paint. But The Boston Globe writes that a majority of sellers may have no knowledge as to whether their home contains or does not contain lead paint.
According to FindLaw, lead was used in paint and pipes in homes until fairly recently. Lead can accumulate in your bones, blood, or soft tissue if you breathe it in or consume lead-contaminated water. High concentrations of lead may cause permanent brain damage, especially in unborn babies, because they are more sensitive to the metal.
Lead paint laws and lead paint disclosure laws have been around for several years to protect homebuyers from health risks associated with lead-based paint. "The Lead Paint Form," which is included in Property Transfer Notification Certifications in Boston, states every buyer interested in purchasing a residential home, particularly one built before 1978, should be notified about whether the property might "present exposure to lead from lead-based paint that may place young children at risk of developing lead poisoning."
The person selling a home is also "required to provide the buyer with any information on lead-based paint hazards. A risk assessment or inspection for possible lead-based paint hazards" is recommended before a purchase. But once a seller learns that they have to disclose the results of a lead paint test, some may decide to not test their home at all for fear that they might scare away a potential buyer.
However, the Boston Globe writes that the housing market appears to have more of a preference for older homes that may contain lead paint than more recently-built homes that do not have it. This should encourage sellers to have their homes tested for lead, since the results do not guarantee that a buyer will opt out of a purchase.
To learn more about your legal options when it comes to lead paint laws and buying or selling a home, visit the Related Resources below.
Related Resources:
- Speak To A Boston Real Estate Attorney (FindLaw)
- What Should Be Done About Lead Paint? (FindLaw)
- Are There Any Laws Regulating Disclosure Of Lead Paint Hazards? (FindLaw)
- Boston Landlord Fined By EPA Over Lead Paint Disclosure (FindLaw's Boston Real Estate Law News Blog)
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