As a homeowner, your plate is always full. Between bills, kids, and pets, getting a notice from the New York City Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) can be beyond stressful, especially when you’re dealing with an HPD Violation 623 related to lead paint hazards. Don’t panic, though. While these violations are serious, they’re also completely manageable when you understand the process and take the right actions.
So, if you’ve recently received an HPD lead violation, here’s what you need to know about what this means for you and what you need to do to resolve it.
Lets read this blog to learn more HPD violations.
What Exactly is a HPD Violation 623?
A HPD Violation 623 is issued when your property has been found to have lead-based paint hazards. These are particularly dangerous for the occupants, especially kids under the age of 6.
According to New York City’s Local Law of 2004, property owners are required to both investigate and remediate any lead paint hazards in buildings that were constructed before 1960 or built between 1960 and 1978.
The violation typically occurs when:
- An inspection reveals deteriorating lead-based paint
- Lead dust levels exceed safe standards
- Peeling, chipping, or flaking paint is found on surfaces
- Windows, doors, or other friction surfaces show signs of lead paint wear
- Previous remediation work was not completed properly or according to regulations
What Should You Do Immediately After Receiving a Violation?
When you’ve been issued a violation, every minute counts. The notice typically includes a correction date, which is 30 days from the date of service. By this date, you need to complete all remediation work and file all the necessary documents with HPD.
Here’s what to do:
- First, carefully review the violation notice to understand exactly what hazards were identified and where they’re located in your building.
- Next, contact a qualified lead-safe work practices contractor immediately. Not just any contractor can perform lead remediation work in New York City. You need someone who is EPA-certified.
What to Expect During the Remediation Process
The first thing you need to understand about this is that it’s far from a DIY project. This process requires training, equipment, and procedures that only trained, specialized persons can carry out.
Here’s what it entails:
Step 1: Planning And Assessment
This step starts with your contractor conducting thorough assessments of the hazards. Then, they’ll develop a work plan that is EPA and NYC-compliant.
Step 2: Containment
Before getting started, it’s important to contain the lead hazards to the specific area. This is usually done by plastic sheets and negative air pressure systems.
Step 3: Remediation
Finally, the step you’re waiting for. Depending on what sort of hazard it is, the contractor may either remove the lead paint entirely, encapsulate the paint with special coatings, or replace windows and doors that may be affected.
Step 4: Cleaning and Testing
With the remediation done and dusted, the area needs to undergo a thorough cleanup. This is done by HEPA vacuums and wet cleaning methods. Lastly, a final test is performed to make sure that lead dust levels are below the acceptable threshold.
These are as follows:
- 10 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft2) to 5 µg/ft2 for floors,
- 100 µg/ft2 to 40 µg/ft2 for window sills, and
- 400 µg/ft2 to 100 µg/ft2 for window troughs.
What Sort of Documents Do You Need?
With the remediation work out of the way, HPD requires you to submit some specific documents to show you’ve complied with their rules and regulations.
Make sure to prepare the following list of documents:
- Lead dust clearance test results from an EPA-certified inspector
- Work completion certificates from your contractor
- Before and after photographs of the remediated areas
- Copies of all permits obtained for the work
Make sure to submit all your documents before the specific date mentioned on your violation notice! Failure to do so can mean additional penalties, fines, and court proceedings you probably don’t want to get into!
Helpful Resources and Financial Assistance for HPD Violations
There’s no denying that the entire process, from start to finish, can be expensive. The good news, however, is that there are several programs to help eligible property owners. The HPD Lead Hazard Reduction Program offers grants and loans to eligible property owners for lead remediation work.
If that doesn’t work out, you can always resort to community development corporations and non-profit organizations to provide you with some assistance when navigating a violation.
Can You Prevent a HPD Violation 623 from Happening Again?
The answer to this is a short and sweet yes! However, you’ll need to be on top of your maintenance and monitoring game. Here’s what you need to be doing:
- Annually inspecting the painted surfaces, particularly around windows and doors
- Repairing any peeling or chipping paint quickly
- Using lead-safe work practices for any future renovations
- Maintaining documentation of all lead-related work performed on the property
Also Read: How Much Is a Lead Based Paint Inspection?
Work with Professionals for Your Violation Process!
Getting an HPD lead violation notice is stressful enough – having to navigate the entire process is a whole other ball game. Make sure you don’t hesitate to work with professionals who understand NYC’s lead regulations. This includes both certified contractors and environmental consultants.
At the end of the day, getting through this violation is less about avoiding the hefty penalties and more about making sure you live in a safe environment.
When you’re facing lead violations and need experienced professionals who understand NYC’s complex regulations, Manhattan Lead is here to help. Our EPA-certified inspectors and remediation specialists have extensive experience with HPD Lead Violations and can guide you through every step of the compliance process.
Give us a shout today for expert lead violation remediation services!
