Bridgeport landlord Juan Hernandez will pay a penalty of $69,000 for failing to notify his tenants of lead paint at his 17 properties in the city.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached the settlement with Hernandez after an investigation found the landlord failed to disclose information about lead paint on the property and the associated risks to the tenants of his 80 rental units at 17 Bridgeport properties.
Hernandez was targeted for inspection because of several reports of children with elevated blood lead levels at his properties. Lead paint can cause development disabilities in children, and pregnancy difficulties, high blood pressure, and memory problems in adults.
Housing built before 1978 contains some lead-based paint, and landlords are required to disclose the presence and risk of the paint, including giving information pamphlets and writing warnings in leases. Hernandez failed to do both.
