landlord asks us to leave so they don't have to delead property

[Anonymous]

OP, it would have been much cheaper for the landlord to leave the wood and instead have a certified lead remover to take out the paint. In MA, there are licensed, certified lead removal specialists that actually know what they are doing. [In MA, there are older houses too nice to tear down, therefor some lead. Also unlike DC/MD/VA, in MA you have to be certified to do most things, not just anyone.]

Anyway, I don't think you have a discrimination case. Free legal advice is a really, really bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Discrimination because under the fair housing law they can't kick us out bc we have children (which they knew about from day 1) Once they know the house has failed the inspection they have to deal with it in some way, not just kick us out and hope the next person won't care about the lead.

They are not kicking you out because you have children - they are not even kicking you out, just letting you know they won't be deleading and they know that is important to you (apparantely they don't know they will HAVE to do it eventually). You don't have a discrimination case. Just move and report (maybe you don't even need to do that since the inspector has to).

[Anonymous]

1. I would report them. It will affect another family. If your child's lead numbers went up, so will the next one. This "nice" knew you cared about the lead issue, because you asked him repeatedly point blank questions about it. He knowingly lied to you, taking the chance that nothing would come of it. Because he wanted your money.

2. You have already decided that this is a big deal, so you are going to move. Now that he has put a bunch of lead dust in the air, things could get worse.

[Anonymous]

The lead housing discrimination laws state it is illegal for them to not rent to us because we have children that is very clear. I am not looking to get money for them on this but I can't be moving in the next two weeks bc they are cheap and if they try and enforce that I can just start with the tip of the iceberg, which is the fact they failed to disclose the lead paint and have us sign the appropriate documents.

[Anonymous]

Wow, OP. You obviously know lead could be an issue with the house. I am guessing you chose to rent it because of cost? There are plenty of lead free newer houses in MA, why didn't you rent one of those?

The landlord is cheap but they are old. What's your excuse for being so cheap? Why are you still staying there if you are so concerned?

[Anonymous]

Wow 22:39 you are so off base. I looked at other houses in the area and was turned away by various landlords because of the lead paint issue. When I saw this house in a desirable location for us I specifically asked about the lead paint many times and was assured the house was deleaded. It wasn't about price, it was about the fact that they told us the house was safe and we were never told other wise. If this was about money I wouldn't be so worried about harming these people and trying to stop this from proceeding further than deleading the house. You clearly didn't read the thread, I don't want money from them I want them to provide the safe housing we were promised.

[Anonymous]

OP,


I don't understand why you just don't move. Sorry but I'm not following! You were naive to believe them without documentation! I'd speak to an attorney. You may not have grounds to do much except move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The lead housing discrimination laws state it is illegal for them to not rent to us because we have children that is very clear. I am not looking to get money for them on this but I can't be moving in the next two weeks bc they are cheap and if they try and enforce that I can just start with the tip of the iceberg, which is the fact they failed to disclose the lead paint and have us sign the appropriate documents.

OP, are you dense? He is not refusing to rent it for you, he is just refusing to delead the house and while that is stupid and he will have to comply with the law, he won't have to do it in a timely manner for you. So, you can choose to stay and wait it out and risk your child's health or move. That is not discrimination.

[Anonymous]

22:39 here. You were turned away from every other house in the area because of lead paint. Why didn't you report all of those those houses? Their houses have lead and they discriminated you!

You chose to believe of your landlord and ignore all warning signs. (all other houses in the area have lead) Why?

Now, instead of moving, which is the only way to protect your kids. You chose to fight this one landlord. There is only one reason. You want to wait for the....ding ding ding...BONUS!

[Anonymous]

I am not dense, far from it actually. I have done the research, they have to give us 60 days notice to leave, during which time we have been advised by housing authorities with real estate background to put their rent in an escrow for them to fix the problems. If you read the whole thread they rented to us under false pretense, failed to have us sign a lead disclosure form (an offense that nationally and most specifically in MA is being prosecuted with big fines for landlords, money that would go to other causes not us) and were in general performing unsafe practices.

So no I am not dense and I have done much more research than you on this issue.

[Anonymous]

22:49 we won't be getting money out of this, if you read from post #1 I was looking to lessen the burden on the landlords. I am not looking to ruin their lives, just have the house taken care of .

[Anonymous]

OP again, if you had read this clearly you would also see that I am trying to avoid having them reported.

[Anonymous]

22:39 here.

Why didn't you report all the other houses with lead paint?

Why didn't you report their discrimination against you?

Why did you ignore all the warning signs and choose to believe this landlord with paperwork? Lead paint was clearly on your mind during the house hunting.

Well you won't get the sympathy here. It's not babycenter. Go there if you are trying to make yourself feel better.

[Anonymous]

Man, the people replying to this thread are weird.

She can't report the other landlords-because they followed the laws and disclosed the information about lead paint. There is nothing to report them for. She's clearly not looking for a handout either.

OP-I'd report them and move out ASAP. I'd find out if you can make them reimburse you for hotel rental while you make alternate living arrangements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not dense, far from it actually. I have done the research, they have to give us 60 days notice to leave, during which time we have been advised by housing authorities with real estate background to put their rent in an escrow for them to fix the problems. If you read the whole thread they rented to us under false pretense, failed to have us sign a lead disclosure form (an offense that nationally and most specifically in MA is being prosecuted with big fines for landlords, money that would go to other causes not us) and were in general performing unsafe practices.

So no I am not dense and I have done much more research than you on this issue.

Ok, now, HOW is that discrimination? If it is so important to you, just stay there for the next 60 days and put the money into the escrow acct. I would move asap.