June 29th, 2010
Most Americans have long been aware of the dangers of lead, particularly in paints. Recognizing these dangers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized a new regulation to protect people from the lead generated by renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition. This work can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.
The new rule affects contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools built before 1978. Homeowners need to ensure that contactors engaged in this kind of work have undergone training and earned their certification. For contractors, this rule means they must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Once certified, the firm can advertise that it is certified by EPA under the RRP program, and will also be given rights to use EPA’s “Lead-Safe Certified Firm” logo.
Homeowners considering renovations can search for certified companies on the EPA website.
Posted in Government, Renovation, Safety | No Comments »
June 24th, 2010
Gov. Charlie Crist traveled to South Florida to ceremonially sign this year’s massive condo bill, SB 1196. The bill, among many other things, exempts some elevators from code requirements, revises voting laws for condo associations, and makes changes to loss assessment coverage. Crist officially signed the bill into law June 1.
Here is what SB 1196 ius about !
The new law includes Florida Realtors-supported “bulk buyer” language that seeks to reduce inventory levels by encouraging investors to purchase blocks of condo units. It’s accomplished, in part, by protecting bulk buyers from some of the liabilities faced by condo developers.
Other key provisions in SB 1196
• Lowers the cost of condo-ownership by repealing a requirement that owners purchase individual unit owner insurance coverage.
• Removes the requirement for mandatory retrofits of sprinkler systems in condos over 75 feet high.
• Requires lenders to pay more in past-due assessments on foreclosed properties.
• Allows associations to deny owners or occupants the use of common areas and recreational amenities when the owner is more than 90 days delinquent in paying financial obligations due to the association.
• Allows associations to divert rent paid by a tenant and use it to pay delinquent assessments owed by that unit’s owner.
Posted in Government, Rules & Regulation Review, Statutes | No Comments »