Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post

Belmont Resident · 06-19-2011, 08:36 AM

Why should the homeowner not bear some of the brunt? Because they can knowingly go from contractor to contractor until they find someone willing to bypass the law and perform the work. I've seen it first hand on a house next to the one I was working on.
I believe it IS a good law but it also has a lot of flaws in it as do almost every contractor I've spoken with. The main reason is that a homeowner can produce all the lead dust he wants too even if there are kids out playing in the yard next door and be perfectly within his/her rights.
As for taking the class I do intend to because as owners of rental property we have to be licensed to perform work on those houses because as soon as you take rent money you fall under the category of a contractor when performing work.
We both took the state class in Concord way before it became law. Unfortunately that class does not qualify under the new law.
As for enforcement I believe the town building inspector has the right to verify compliance and order work to be stopped for noncompliance. But I do not believe they have no ability to issue fines.
Insurance companies are requiring a lead test on many homes that are being purchased that were built before 1978. I’m sure a positive test result will mean some sort of change in premiums.

06-19-2011, 08:36 AM	#13
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	jmen24 Why should the homeowner not bear some of the brunt? Because they can knowingly go from contractor to contractor until they find someone willing to bypass the law and perform the work. I've seen it first hand on a house next to the one I was working on. I believe it IS a good law but it also has a lot of flaws in it as do almost every contractor I've spoken with. The main reason is that a homeowner can produce all the lead dust he wants too even if there are kids out playing in the yard next door and be perfectly within his/her rights. As for taking the class I do intend to because as owners of rental property we have to be licensed to perform work on those houses because as soon as you take rent money you fall under the category of a contractor when performing work. We both took the state class in Concord way before it became law. Unfortunately that class does not qualify under the new law. As for enforcement I believe the town building inspector has the right to verify compliance and order work to be stopped for noncompliance. But I do not believe they have no ability to issue fines. Insurance companies are requiring a lead test on many homes that are being purchased that were built before 1978. I’m sure a positive test result will mean some sort of change in premiums.