From Bad to Worse: How to Turn a Worthy Cause Into a Giant Mess

[ChrWright]

http://www.nchh.org/Training/RRP-Training.aspx

The EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule is the most important Federal lead regulation since the HUD Lead-Safe Housing Rule a decade ago. It has the potential to ensure the widespread use of lead-safe work practices in homes and child-occupied facilities and may be extended to public and commercial buildings in the future. By U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's estimates, 235,000 individuals and 210,000 firms must be certified when the rule goes into effect in April 22, 2010. EPA has proposed rule would add 100,000 to each of those totals that would go into effect on April 22, 2010.

Reaching these numbers will take a major effort to simultaneously build demand for training by renovators and supply of training by EPA-approved training providers. Without both, when the rule goes into effect renovators could be confronted with the choice of breaking the law or avoiding work on pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. And the benefits of the rule to children and adult health from lower lead exposures will be delayed.

They're working to expand the regulations even though the infrastructure isn't even there to implement the original rule. Seems a little silly doesn't it?

The Opt-Out is gone.

Third party testing is coming.

Expansion to commercial structures is on the table.


They had two years to get the word out on the original rule, and did next to nothing. With the states now wading into the fray with their own twists on the regs, this is going to be a soup sandwich for years.

:surrender:

[Silvertree]

That's from the National Center for Healthy Housing, they are comprised of mostly crazy folks:mad2:

There is more bad news to come from the insurance companies and third party testing is also being considered (mandatory), the hotel association is lobbying for mandatory move outs while remodeling is in progress.

[Leo G]

I don't see that mandatory move out ever happening. Are they trying to make home improvement so expensive that it will never occur?

It does seem that way. They must have some other agenda if it keeps following this route. I mean, construction is at the top of the economy starters and while we are here in a recession they seem to be doing everything they can to keep the construction industry stalled out. Every time things seem to start picking up another new ruling that puts a damper on things comes along to stifle the progress.

And I still think that they kept these rules hush hush for the simple reason that no one will be able to comply on time and they will be able to pick and choose who and when they want to fine someone. And the fines themselves are business busters. No warnings just boom, you're out of business unless you are a very large company that can absorb these kind of costs.

[DavidC]

The more this develops the more aware I become that they are over expanding a policing effort on a waning problem.

Keep at it and they will assure that no sensible contractors will want to renovate older housing. The more they pump their chests out the further the value of these homes are dropping.

Good Luck
Dave

[dan-o]

I disagree with the concept of pre-78 houses dropping in value. Around here pre-78 housing is the overwhelming majority and there is no more land to build. I find that newer housing often requires much more work to maintain too, due to inferior materials and build quality (rotted trim, mill glazing etc).

HOs will get less bang for their buck as these procedures suck up their budget, but work will still get done.

[DavidC]

The majority of homes in our area is also pre-1978. Common sense tells me that if I'm looking to buy a home that will cost more to maintain and remodel that I should expect to pay less to acquire. The value may increase again once an older home is deemed lead free eventually, but how much will it cost to get there?

That's just my opinion, and I'm am admittedly not a real estate expert, so take it for what it's worth.

Good Luck
Dave

[Bodger]

And I still think that they kept these rules hush hush for the simple reason that no one will be able to comply on time and they will be able to pick and choose who and when they want to fine someone. And the fines themselves are business busters. No warnings just boom, you're out of business unless you are a very large company that can absorb these kind of costs.


A fine of $30K plus would indeed bust me out, especially right now. I can just imagine what this would be like, they'd be more than happy to set you up on an EPA payment plan and "allow" you to stay in in business and paying taxes.

And cash hungry nanny states and municipalities like California and Los Angeles will jump right in there with their own regulations (as Chris pointed out) and find ways to make money from this. Not only from fines but from additional permit fees for projects on pre '78 homes and possibly state certification requirements for firms and owners and individual employees.

There's a running joke with CA gun rights advocates regarding questionable laws and how they are implemented and enforced: "But it's for the children!"
Easiest way to sell a bad law is to say it's for public safety. All of a sudden a law abiding citizen has been made a criminal.