§ 23-24.6-15. Inspections of rental property. (a) The director shall, in conjunction with the housing resources commission, promulgate regulations permitting state inspectors to conduct such lead inspections as may be appropriate in response to any complaint to the department or the housing resources commission, by an occupant or the parent or guardian of any child under the age of six (6) years who is an occupant renting or leasing a dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises of the existence of a lead exposure hazard for a child under the age of six (6) years in that dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises. These regulations will allow for response to the complaints to be prioritized based upon the age of the structure and the nature and degree of hazard present.

(b) Whenever a comprehensive environmental lead inspection has been performed either pursuant to a complaint or otherwise, the owner and/or any real estate agent or property manager involved in renting or leasing the dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises shall provide the results of the inspection to occupants pursuant to regulations promulgated by the department, as follows:

(1) Those persons occupying the dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises at the time the inspection is performed shall be notified of the results within five (5) business days after the owner receives the results;

(2) All persons who are prospective occupants shall be notified of the inspection results if a significant lead hazard exists, before any lease is signed or before occupancy begins in cases where no lease is signed;

(3) This notice provision terminates with the performance of the necessary lead reduction actions required to reach at least the "lead safe" level. The department shall provide the owner with a certification of lead reduction for the dwelling.

(c) Failure to provide inspection results and/or educational materials pursuant to this chapter shall subject the lessor or his or her agent to a civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation.

History of Section. (P.L. 1991, ch. 355, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 389, § 3; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 10; P.L. 2002, ch. 187, § 2; P.L. 2002, ch. 188, § 2.)