Rhode Island Reaches $700K Settlement With Landlords Over Lead Violations: AG Neronha

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said his office on Tuesday agreed to settlements with four Providence and Burrillville landlords over lead violations,

According to Neronha's office, the settlements require the remediation of lead contamination at the homes and levy penalties of more than $700,000. All four cases involved at least one child getting lead poisoning, Neronha said.

"Instances of lead poisoning in children throughout Rhode Island are absolutely preventable and in these cases, are the consequence of landlords violating clear public safety laws," Neronha said. "This happens far too often in Rhode Island, and so our office remains committed to taking action and holding accountable landlords who have been advised that a child has been lead-poisoned in one of their units and yet refuse to do anything about it."

"The disposition of these cases demonstrates the serious legal consequences that landlords face when they refuse to follow the law, despite multiple notifications from the Department of Health, and opportunities for low-cost abatement and remediation," Neronha added. "Most of the time, it is neither expensive nor difficult to remediate these dangerous conditions, and this office will not stop until lead poisoning ceases to harm Rhode Islanders, especially our children."

The settlement agreements announced Tuesday are the latest in Neronha's efforts to combat lead poisoning in the state. In this legislative session, Neronha said he expects to advocate for stronger lead poisoning and prevention laws, coupled with additional resources for remediation.

Since fall 2021, Neronha has filed 18 lawsuits against landlords who have failed to fully address serious lead violations on their properties. All of the lawsuits involved properties where significant lead hazards were found and a child was determined to have lead poisoning, authorities said.

Following the lawsuits and other negotiations, Neronha's office said more than 45 housing units had their lead violations remediated.

The four settlements announced Tuesday were:

36 Henrietta St., Providence

Following a lawsuit filed by the attorney general's office, the defendant agreed to pay $60,000 for the remediation and abatement of lead hazards throughout the property, including a child’s bedroom, as well as stairways and outside soil. The defendant will also pay a $55,000 penalty to the state.

51 Wealth Ave., Providence

Following a lawsuit filed by the attorney general's office, the defendant remediated lead hazards throughout the property where state officials said several children were lead poisoned over the past 10 years. In addition to lead remediation, other issues including rat infestations were also mitigated. The defendant will also pay a $60,000 penalty to the state.

49-51 Foster St., Burrillville

In a pre-lawsuit settlement, the duplex at 49-51 Foster St., owned by Freddie Mac, valued at $400,000 will be donated to NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley with a deed restriction that it be used as affordable housing for 99 years. In addition to the donation of the property, Freddie Mac will pay $60,000 to the attorney general's office to continue lead remediation and abatement efforts.

93 Ayrault St., Providence

In a pre-lawsuit settlement, the defendant will pay an $80,000 penalty to the state for violating state lead poisoning and prevention laws. A new owner of the property will perform full remediation of lead hazards at the property, state officials said.