Vermont landlords settle claims for violations of lead law

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Attorney General’s Office says it has settled with six landlords for violations of consumer protection and lead laws. 

Vermont’s lead law protects all Vermonters, especially children, from the harmful effects of lead poisoning. 

Every landlord with pre-1978 rental properties is required to submit annual compliance statements which show that the landlords have performed the essential maintenance practices  and the properties are in compliance with the lead law.  

• Donna Aiken, owner of one rental property in Bellows Falls, was assessed a $5,000 penalty for falsely certifying that her property was lead compliant when it was not.

• Bernadette Hickey, owner of one rental property in Bellows Falls, will pay a $2,500 penalty for falsely certifying that her property was lead compliant when it was not.

• Andrea Sandor, owner of three rental properties in Springfield and Brandon, was assessed a $5,000 penalty for falsely certifying that one property was lead compliant when it was not.

• Daryl Wisch, owner of 12 rental properties in Rutland, will pay a $2,500 penalty for falsely certifying that three properties were lead compliant when they were not.

• Jonathan Pierce, owner of seven rental properties in Barre, Graniteville and Montpelier, will pay a $3,000 penalty for falsely certifying that two properties were lead compliant when they were not.

• Roger Demar, owner of 16 rental properties in Morristown, Hardwick and Johnson, will pay a $3,000 penalty for failing to file essential maintenance practices statements for seven buildings after notice and warning.

All six must bring their properties into full compliance with the lead law.

For more information concerning the Vermont lead law, including the duties of property owners, and for copies of court documents from recent enforcement actions involving lead, visit www.ago.vermont.gov and click on “Lead.”