EPA v. GARDEN HOMES MANAGEMENT CORP

Case summary

On September 23, 2014, Region 1 filed an administrative civil complaint for penalties against a Stamford, Connecticut property management company for violating regulations related to lead-based paint, specifically, TSCA Section 1018 disclosure requirements and Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) training, certification, and recordkeeping requirements. The Complaint alleges multiple violations by Garden Homes Management Corporation. The Disclosure and RRP Rules are the only protections afforded to tenants regarding lead-based paint, still the chief source of lead poisoning in the United States. Garden Homes provides about 1,000 rental units in target housing and their increased compliance could yield significant public health protections. On February 25, 2015, Region 1 filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) to resolve civil administrative penalty claims alleged in a Complaint filed in September 2014 against a Stamford, Connecticut property management company for violating lead-based paint regulations. In particular, the violations at issue and now resolved through the CAFO involve TSCA 1018 disclosure requirements and RRP training, certification, and recordkeeping requirements, all documented by EPA after inspections in 2012 and 2013. Under the CAFO, Respondent must pay a $54,644 civil penalty, complete a $20,000 lead abatement supplemental environmental project (SEP), and certify that it has fully addressed the violations and is now operating in compliance. The SEP consists of the removal and replacement of windows at a cir. 1961 rental property Respondent owns in a Bridgeport, Connecticut neighborhood that the Region considers a potential environmental justice area of concern. The SEP is expected to significantly reduce the risk of exposure to lead-based paint, the chief source of lead poisoning in the United States. Overall, Garden Homes Management Corp. provides about 1,000 rental units in target housing and Respondent�s increased compliance could yield significant public health protections.

Defendants (1)

• GARDEN HOMES MANAGEMENT CORPNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• GARDEN HOMES MANAGEMENT CORP

  29 KNAPP STREET, STAMFORD, CT, 06907

  Registry ID: 110014429190

Statutes cited

• TSCA 406B — Lead: Pre-Renovation Education Rule
• TSCA 402C — Lead: RRP
• TSCA 409 — Lead: Violation of Section 1018

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• GARDEN HOMES MANAGEMENT CORPentered 2015-02-24

  Primary law: TSCA

  Federal penalty: $54,644 · SEP: $20,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2014-09-23Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2014-10-16Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2015-02-24Final Order Issued