posted on February 3, 2001 02:03:31 PM new
I need some helpful hints on how to handle a major problem to me, hopefully a Slight Problem to YA'ALL with a solution.
We were informed in December that we may have lead paint in this house, Yes this will affect my auctions, I have been panicing about it.
The results FINALLY came in Yesterday, the City is going to come in and remove all the interior and exterior paint in this cute old house. My treasures can be destroyed for one thing, there is no way they can work around me even tho they claim they can. I had every intentions to get my rear in gear next week and start the scanning and listing process with some new items and a few of the old ones.
These people think I am nothing more then a spoiled stay at home mom with nothing better to do, even if I wasn't selling on line my personal stamp collections and other knick Knacks can be ruined by these chemicals by some unthinking worker.
Now I dont know if I should list anything yet, my time frame stinks, the Lead Abatement rep told me that they will Probably ( Maybe?) give me a months notice anytime between now and 6 months from now. Our health of course has been effected by this, at least now I know why we have all been sick and will be getting tested etc.
What do I do? Start listing and not worry, I can't imagine having open auctions in the middle of this, there is no way.
We can't get out of our lease, moving would be easier and healthier at this point. My husband says if there is lead, there is more then likely asbesto's in the walls, that may get us out of the lease and another health worry of course with small children in the home.
My only idea is to box everything up, set a few things aside to list that could possibly be taken with me to another location if we have to leave while they or doing this. Since I have no clue how to use my wireless phone which has internet access I will have to drag my computer along with me too.
Any Idea's for emergency's? We all can run into emergencies such as this if not worse, I dont think there is an auction site with such features.
posted on February 3, 2001 02:36:53 PM new
Terrible situation for sure but your health (and that of your family) is certinly more important than knic-knacks and anything else you may own. Box it all up and put it in storage. When you have moved you can pull from storage enough to get your auctions started again.
posted on February 3, 2001 02:43:12 PM new
I don't know where you live, but you mentioned lease. I would check my lease if I were you, and also maybe you need to check with local renter's groups or localized regulations regarding landlords.
I am not a lawyer, either, but I would think that if the rennovations were due to unsafe materials, IE: lead paint, That there would be a responsibility on the landlord for any and all costs associated with your not having use of the rental property for a period during the term of the lease. Also, local laws and ordinances may make the lease moot if it is determined that the property was unfit to rent at the time the lease were signed. Look for a local Landlord TZenant relations office or specialist. They could probably tell you more, or at least where to get help.
Spelling and typos, fixed some of them anyway.
[ edited by jimhhow on Feb 3, 2001 02:44 PM ]
posted on February 3, 2001 03:05:22 PM new
You're right the health is first. We at least had this consideration in advance in December and my youngest has been monitored at school, I'm the only one really exposed the most since I am home all day and do the cleaning. My neighbor who is in her late 80's, get's around like a 20 year old, she's the former owner of this house from years ago, probably put a few of the layers of lead on it too so I look at her and calm down.
I guess Yahoo will still be here when it is all over, couldn't happen at a better time.
I was hoping to be a part of the sellers that kept it together, I may still swing it some how, Went thru a move with running auctions before, barely kept my sanity. From what I found out about lead, if we dont move, we will have no sanity left.
posted on February 3, 2001 03:32:23 PM new
Rollanotherone,
I worked with lead for awhile, making toy soldiers. From what I learned it isn't making you or your husband sick, but you need to watch out for your little ones. It is a problem for forming brains. I would get out especially if you think there is asbestos.
Glen
posted on February 3, 2001 03:54:08 PM new
The United States didn't ban the use of lead in house paints until the 1970's, so any house paint that was applied up until then probably contains lead. Your house is one of *millions* with old painted woodwork with lead content.
I'm surprised your city would be removing the paint. Who's PAYING for your paint removal? We used to live in a house built in 1913, and live in one now built in 1952. The job of removing all the old paint would be *almost impossible*, and unless the paint is peeling or flaking (which you DO NOT let young children around) or has *very high* lead content, you can paint over it with new paint and it will be safe to live around.
Asbestos is an entirely different matter (only some types being unhealthful), not related to lead-containing paint, and your house can be tested for it if you're concerned that it might be present.
You DO NOT want to be living in the house when all the paint is removed. Aside from the mess and inconvenience, the possibility of being EXPOSED to the lead (ESPECIALLY YOUNG CHILDREN) is much, much greater during removal. ***If you see anyone using a HEAT GUN to remove the paint, tell them to stop immediately (the lead is released into the air in heated paint fumes, is breathed in, and will give you lead poison faster than anything).***
If the paint removal was ordered by your city health department, your lease is null and void. If the removal was at your option, a lawyer at free legal aid for tenants (every city has one--look in the yellow pages) can tell you if you can get out of your lease OR you will not have to pay rent while the work is going on (financially enabling you to live elsewhere for the duration). In either case, if you have young children I WOULD MOVE OUT of the house at least until the work is completed, if not permanently. Lead leads to PERMANENT brain damage when young children are exposed. Should your children ALREADY have elevated lead levels in their blood, chelation effectively removes it successfully.
All that said, I raised my oldest til age 10 in the 1913 house without exposing him to lead poisoning, and we did extensive renovations ourselves. Just exercise caution be aware of the possible danger, and use common sense. You don't let a baby crawl around on floors covered in old flaking paint or let him put it in his mouth.
Incidentally, aside from the area surrounding an old lead smelter, the highest levels of lead in the topsoil found in our city is immediately on either side of expressways. It seems the lead formerly present in GASOLINE was emitted in exhaust fumes and settled on the ground right next to the road. Anyone living close to a freeway should keep their young children from playing in the dirt of their yards.
posted on February 3, 2001 05:52:45 PM new
Just a comment about the lead- if you need more information, check out the CDC site at
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/lead.htm
posted on February 3, 2001 06:38:57 PM new
thanks everyone,
I feel better about our health, new areas are always fun, allergies to mold are probably my problem and that just might get us out of this lease. Which reads we can't do squat, about sqaut, but it doesn't say I can't have the entire house inspected, plumbing, electric etc which the gentleman from the lead abatement told me, I just hate to be a stinker.
What Urps me is working from home is not being taken seriously, I just sit and push buttons and watch soaps to these people.
Auctions are real jobs, alot of work, to tell me they can work around me is bologna. I basically have to pack everything up, let them push me out for a week then move back in? by then the lease will be almost up, the house would be in better condition and he'll raise the rent.
The only bright side is: I get to pick the colors. lololol!!
That website brought another thing to mind, it is in regards to lower income and hud, we dont fit those guidelines so we will have to pay rent here, rent a storage and motel? Hmmmmm, I guess my color choices will depend on that for sure!
posted on February 3, 2001 11:36:23 PM new
I don't know where you live (if you stated it I mised it in quickly scanning the thread), but after 11 years with the Department of Environmental Protection, I'd say break the lease, move and sue your landlord (don't forget to include moving costs as well as all other costs, health-related and otherwise).
I was recently told by an attorney that a person can not be held to any contract whereby their life or health is threatened.
In many states, I believe it is illegal to rent anything involving lead-contaminated paint.
Check with your lawyer and your state department of environmental protection or health.
posted on February 4, 2001 07:31:56 PM new
Thanks Rebelguns,
Forgot about EPA, the irony of this situation is something we have spoke about before and the deepset feelings of what I was trying to express elsewhere.
The owner is a person who would be the first to shut you and I down, meanwhile he overlooks my childs safety because he feels we are expendable since he belongs to a group that is protected.
The only thing I have to break a lease is the fact they asked too much for application fee's, then did not run a trw check. I knew this when I paid it, an ace in my pocket. This is common is S. CAlifornia because the illegals pay it gladly unknowingly they are being screwed. Receipts were given so that part is covered, we paid $60 in application fee's.
The state of California does not allow any rental property owner to ask more then $25 per tennant in application fee's and they must give a copy of the report to tennants plus the trw sone, if you are married they cannot ask for more then $30. If he has 30 tennants he has done this to he may soon have empty homes he cannot rent because he screwed up legally In the good old USA. Or Quite possibly the tennants will own them after he makes them safe.
I am just upset that my auctions are effected by this bullongy. No respect is given whatsoever for the person who works out of the home. We just push buttons.
The funny part is this entire block of homes and appartments were bought at a property auction online.
