With the help of the National Apartment Association (NAA), we're is following these key issues for apartment maintenance teams.

EPA's 'Impossible' Lead Hazard Standards

Rental properties could be deemed a hazard with an almost zero lead level.

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a proposed rule that would dramatically alter the way lead dust hazards are classified.

The agency has proposed that any detectable amount of lead dust be considered a hazard and that the threshold for clearance post-abatement be reduced. For covered properties and any entity that engages in remediation or abatement activities, this proposal would set a moving target that makes lead-dust cleanup — by definition — nearly impossible.

For more: https://www.naahq.org/epa-proposes-unprecedented-lead-hazard-standards

Refrigerant Transition Period for Residential AC and Heat Pump Products Extended

Apartment industry advocacy groups NAA and NMHC recently sent a letter to the EPA praising the agency for their action toward phasing down hydrofluorocarbons.

The letter comments, "We strongly support EPA's decision to extend the refrigerant transition period for residential air conditioning and heat pump products and appreciate EPA's recognition of the implementation challenges faced by this sector.

"EPA rightly acknowledges that typical, residential construction and development practices involve purchasing and equipment installation timelines that do not conform with EPA's original transition deadline. However, we urge EPA to consider specific constructability and operations issues in the multifamily sector that warrant further extension and adjustment of EPA's phasedown rule."

For more: https://www.regulations.gov/comment/EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0643-0238

Compliance Deadline with NSPIRE Inspections Approaching

For Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program communities to comply with NSPIRE inspections standards and scoring for HUD-assisted housing, the deadline is Oct. 1, 2024.

Local public housing agencies that administer inspections for the (HCV) Program have until then to fully implement the new requirements.

National Apartment Association provides a webinar recording and HUD speaker slides and PHA speaker slides that provide greater details.

For more: https://www.naahq.org/hud-pha-officials-overview-inspections-changes

The US Department of Labor Updates Prevailing Wages

The U.S. Department of Labor announced its final rule updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulation (DBA), which governs prevailing wage requirements and will take effect Oct. 23, 2023.

Specifically, these new rules cover payments to contractors and subcontractors working on federal and federally assisted construction projects and may impact planning processes on not just new construction projects, but also energy infrastructure projects considered "building or work" under the updated rules like solar panel and wind turbine installations, broadband deployment and the implementation of electric vehicle chargers.

For more: https://www.naahq.org/department-labor-announces-updates-prevailing-wage-rules