Lead Paint Certification

[Calum Bressington]

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

[Drew Sygit]

@Calum Bressington been dealing with those in Detroit for 10 years.

Not much to really worry about. 

Recommend you Google "Cleveland lead paint instpection" and read what it says on city website.

[Brandon Rizzo]

Hey Calum! It's called a Lead Safe Certification through City of Cleveland and is part of the rental registration process. Here is a link to the city website on the program and the specifics. If you are looking for a new PM feel free to reach out!

[James Wise]

Quote from @Calum Bressington:

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

 We've done 100's of these. Depending on your hazards it could be as painless as a grand or two or we've done $40k+ lead reno jobs on properties with tons of hazards. For a big ole' $40k job we're doing new siding, replacing windows, doors etc....

[Samuel Diouf]

The city will just make sure the property isn't hazardous. If it is.. you will need to remedy the issues before you're able to register the unit as a rental. If your unit isn't registered, you could run into major issues with squatters and not being able to evict.  

[Alfath Ahmed]

Quote from @Calum Bressington:

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

 The city of Cleveland is a bit different. You need rental registration and need to get a lead cert done. I would include in your future offers that you want sellers to show proof of lead cert, if not have them pay for it as a part of the sale if it is not present. 

[Cameron Green]

Hi Calum! 

Yes, this was a regulation passed recently in Cleveland, all rental properties must be lead certified. I own three rental properties and had to go through this process. Depending on the house, it can be a very quick correction by simply painting over the lead paint. I have a great inspector who certified my rentals for me, if you want his contact information let me know and I'll shoot you a DM!

[Bob Stevens]

Quote from @Calum Bressington:

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

 Yes simple, you have it inspected by a led cirt guy, 500 per door. Of course, plus any work required.  We have past about 350 over the last two years . Good news is the FED reimburses you $750 ,so you actually make money, 

[Bob Stevens]

Quote from @Samuel Diouf:

The city will just make sure the property isn't hazardous. If it is.. you will need to remedy the issues before you're able to register the unit as a rental. If your unit isn't registered, you could run into major issues with squatters and not being able to evict.  

 BIGGEST scam in America 

[Eric Prescott]

Quote from @Bob Stevens:

Quote from @Calum Bressington:

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

 Yes simple, you have it inspected by a led cirt guy, 500 per door. Of course, plus any work required.  We have past about 350 over the last two years . Good news is the FED reimburses you $750 ,so you actually make money, 

 Where do you go to request the reimbursement?

[James Wise]

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Quote from @Bob Stevens:

Quote from @Calum Bressington:

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

 Yes simple, you have it inspected by a led cirt guy, 500 per door. Of course, plus any work required.  We have past about 350 over the last two years . Good news is the FED reimburses you $750 ,so you actually make money, 

 Where do you go to request the reimbursement?

The notion that you actually make money during the lead certification process is a complete fabrication. Before anyone viewing this thread takes any advice from "Bob Stevens" I recommend you click the link below.

 Who is Bob Stevens AKA Bob Prisco and what's his involvement in Cleveland?

[Eric Prescott]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Quote from @Bob Stevens:

Quote from @Calum Bressington:

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

 Yes simple, you have it inspected by a led cirt guy, 500 per door. Of course, plus any work required.  We have past about 350 over the last two years . Good news is the FED reimburses you $750 ,so you actually make money, 

 Where do you go to request the reimbursement?

The notion that you actually make money during the lead certification process is a complete fabrication. Before anyone viewing this thread takes any advice from "Bob Stevens" I recommend you click the link below.

 Who is Bob Stevens AKA Bob Prisco and what's his involvement in Cleveland?

Thanks for the heads-up. I did contact the LeadSafe incentive folks and verified that my property was eligible for the incentive, so I am grateful for that, but this is a good reminder to verify everything one comes across in this business. My wife and I were ripped off big-time by a Cleveland con artist over the course of several months between 2023-2024, so we learned this lesson the hard way. 

[James Wise]

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Quote from @Bob Stevens:

Quote from @Calum Bressington:

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

 Yes simple, you have it inspected by a led cirt guy, 500 per door. Of course, plus any work required.  We have past about 350 over the last two years . Good news is the FED reimburses you $750 ,so you actually make money, 

 Where do you go to request the reimbursement?

The notion that you actually make money during the lead certification process is a complete fabrication. Before anyone viewing this thread takes any advice from "Bob Stevens" I recommend you click the link below.

 Who is Bob Stevens AKA Bob Prisco and what's his involvement in Cleveland?

Thanks for the heads-up. I did contact the LeadSafe incentive folks and verified that my property was eligible for the incentive, so I am grateful for that, but this is a good reminder to verify everything one comes across in this business. My wife and I were ripped off big-time by a Cleveland con artist over the course of several months between 2023-2024, so we learned this lesson the hard way. 

 What happened with the Con Artist?

[Eric Prescott]

Long story, but he stole tens of thousands of dollars from us and other investors and contractors. Likely that he faked a robbery at a construction site, though I can't prove it, but it was after that when things went downhill. He was sued by the state on various charges like telecommunications and identity fraud, but was slapped on the wrist. I was not able to sue because lawyers thought he would be uncollectable and the county prosecutor's office stated that since it was a breach of contract it was not a civil matter. 

More specific: He stole months of rent and utility payments from a tenant (and threatened to evict her!) so we didn't see rent on that unit until we got a new property manager involved, and so we are still digging out from the lost rent and back utility payments. He also did a very superficial rehab job, so we spent several thousands more on the unit when the new PM took over. I had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens and refinance the property. 

Same guy handled a triplex rehab (the one with the theft), and that's where he took money that he simply pocketed or used in some sort of Ponzi scheme to pay off other debts (I have no way to know, but the money did not go to contractors or to continue work at the site). Much of the work that was done had to be redone, especially due to stolen wiring, cabinets, etc. I basically ended up paying for the rehab twice and lost tens of thousands of dollars to make sure my lenders were all paid back. I also had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens so I could sell the property.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Long story, but he stole tens of thousands of dollars from us and other investors and contractors. Likely that he faked a robbery at a construction site, though I can't prove it, but it was after that when things went downhill. He was sued by the state on various charges like telecommunications and identity fraud, but was slapped on the wrist. I was not able to sue because lawyers thought he would be uncollectable and the county prosecutor's office stated that since it was a breach of contract it was not a civil matter. 

More specific: He stole months of rent and utility payments from a tenant (and threatened to evict her!) so we didn't see rent on that unit until we got a new property manager involved, and so we are still digging out from the lost rent and back utility payments. He also did a very superficial rehab job, so we spent several thousands more on the unit when the new PM took over. I had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens and refinance the property. 

Same guy handled a triplex rehab (the one with the theft), and that's where he took money that he simply pocketed or used in some sort of Ponzo scheme to pay off other debts (I have no way to know, but the money did not go to contractors or to continue work at the site). Much of the work that was done had to be redone, especially due to stolen wiring, cabinets, etc. I basically ended up paying for the rehab twice and lost tens of thousands of dollars to make sure my lenders were all paid back. I also had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens so I could sell the property.

 Brutal. Who was it? I wonder if I've heard of the guy.

[Eric Prescott]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Long story, but he stole tens of thousands of dollars from us and other investors and contractors. Likely that he faked a robbery at a construction site, though I can't prove it, but it was after that when things went downhill. He was sued by the state on various charges like telecommunications and identity fraud, but was slapped on the wrist. I was not able to sue because lawyers thought he would be uncollectable and the county prosecutor's office stated that since it was a breach of contract it was not a civil matter. 

More specific: He stole months of rent and utility payments from a tenant (and threatened to evict her!) so we didn't see rent on that unit until we got a new property manager involved, and so we are still digging out from the lost rent and back utility payments. He also did a very superficial rehab job, so we spent several thousands more on the unit when the new PM took over. I had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens and refinance the property. 

Same guy handled a triplex rehab (the one with the theft), and that's where he took money that he simply pocketed or used in some sort of Ponzo scheme to pay off other debts (I have no way to know, but the money did not go to contractors or to continue work at the site). Much of the work that was done had to be redone, especially due to stolen wiring, cabinets, etc. I basically ended up paying for the rehab twice and lost tens of thousands of dollars to make sure my lenders were all paid back. I also had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens so I could sell the property.

 Brutal. Who was it? I wonder if I've heard of the guy.

Elliott Taylor. 

Such a class act that he actually accused me of still owing him money.

[Eric Prescott]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Long story, but he stole tens of thousands of dollars from us and other investors and contractors. Likely that he faked a robbery at a construction site, though I can't prove it, but it was after that when things went downhill. He was sued by the state on various charges like telecommunications and identity fraud, but was slapped on the wrist. I was not able to sue because lawyers thought he would be uncollectable and the county prosecutor's office stated that since it was a breach of contract it was not a civil matter. 

More specific: He stole months of rent and utility payments from a tenant (and threatened to evict her!) so we didn't see rent on that unit until we got a new property manager involved, and so we are still digging out from the lost rent and back utility payments. He also did a very superficial rehab job, so we spent several thousands more on the unit when the new PM took over. I had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens and refinance the property. 

Same guy handled a triplex rehab (the one with the theft), and that's where he took money that he simply pocketed or used in some sort of Ponzo scheme to pay off other debts (I have no way to know, but the money did not go to contractors or to continue work at the site). Much of the work that was done had to be redone, especially due to stolen wiring, cabinets, etc. I basically ended up paying for the rehab twice and lost tens of thousands of dollars to make sure my lenders were all paid back. I also had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens so I could sell the property.

 Brutal. Who was it? I wonder if I've heard of the guy.

See attached. 

[James Wise]

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Long story, but he stole tens of thousands of dollars from us and other investors and contractors. Likely that he faked a robbery at a construction site, though I can't prove it, but it was after that when things went downhill. He was sued by the state on various charges like telecommunications and identity fraud, but was slapped on the wrist. I was not able to sue because lawyers thought he would be uncollectable and the county prosecutor's office stated that since it was a breach of contract it was not a civil matter. 

More specific: He stole months of rent and utility payments from a tenant (and threatened to evict her!) so we didn't see rent on that unit until we got a new property manager involved, and so we are still digging out from the lost rent and back utility payments. He also did a very superficial rehab job, so we spent several thousands more on the unit when the new PM took over. I had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens and refinance the property. 

Same guy handled a triplex rehab (the one with the theft), and that's where he took money that he simply pocketed or used in some sort of Ponzo scheme to pay off other debts (I have no way to know, but the money did not go to contractors or to continue work at the site). Much of the work that was done had to be redone, especially due to stolen wiring, cabinets, etc. I basically ended up paying for the rehab twice and lost tens of thousands of dollars to make sure my lenders were all paid back. I also had to pay contractors he stiffed in order to remove liens so I could sell the property.

 Brutal. Who was it? I wonder if I've heard of the guy.

Elliott Taylor. 

 Name doesn't ring a bell, but I searched our company contact records for Elliott Taylor. It looks like he reached out to us though email in November 2022 to try to sell some properties to us. Per our notes we reached back out to him 3 times to see what he was selling, he ghosted us each time. 

He seems like a turd.

[Dan H.]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Quote from @Bob Stevens:

Quote from @Calum Bressington:

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

 Yes simple, you have it inspected by a led cirt guy, 500 per door. Of course, plus any work required.  We have past about 350 over the last two years . Good news is the FED reimburses you $750 ,so you actually make money, 

 Where do you go to request the reimbursement?

The notion that you actually make money during the lead certification process is a complete fabrication. Before anyone viewing this thread takes any advice from "Bob Stevens" I recommend you click the link below.

 Who is Bob Stevens AKA Bob Prisco and what's his involvement in Cleveland?

 Entertaining thread.   I was aware of the two names because of his SEO site.   I assumed he wanted some anonymity on BP but instead of using Bob P (like Dan H) used an alias Bob Stevens.  I never investigated further.

I always questioned his recommendations because at the price/rent point he was advocating, the maintenance/cap ex would consume too much of the rent unless actively self managed.   Never thought that BOB S/P was unlicensed to be a PM.  

[James Wise]

Quote from @Dan H.:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Eric Prescott:

Quote from @Bob Stevens:

Quote from @Calum Bressington:

I recently bought a new rental and the previous property management told me I need to get a lead paint inspection every two years in Cleveland, does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

 Yes simple, you have it inspected by a led cirt guy, 500 per door. Of course, plus any work required.  We have past about 350 over the last two years . Good news is the FED reimburses you $750 ,so you actually make money, 

 Where do you go to request the reimbursement?

The notion that you actually make money during the lead certification process is a complete fabrication. Before anyone viewing this thread takes any advice from "Bob Stevens" I recommend you click the link below.

 Who is Bob Stevens AKA Bob Prisco and what's his involvement in Cleveland?

 Entertaining thread.   I was aware of the two names because of his SEO site.   I assumed he wanted some anonymity on BP but instead of using Bob P (like Dan H) used an alias Bob Stevens.  I never investigated further.

I always questioned his recommendations because at the price/rent point he was advocating, the maintenance/cap ex would consume too much of the rent unless actively self managed.   Never thought that BOB S/P was unlicensed to be a PM.  

 I can't speak to the BP rules and how they are enforced and things like that, I was actually pretty surprised they banned him. However, I feel like they probably wouldn't have banned him had he attempted to provide some type of honest explanation for all of the inconsistencies. He didn't though, just kept on lying, so it's probably for the best they booted him.

[Varun Hegde]

Thought I'd get some advice on re-roofing a house in CLE, so I spoke with him for a bit. It was the most confusing conversation I've had in my life. Felt like I was speaking with a virtual assistant backed by AI.

He estimated my re-roof would be half the size at double the rate quotes I got from everybody else... truly amateur hour for somebody that claimed to have done hundreds of these.

I also was never able to find more than 5 property records tied to his name or to related LLCs. I didn't try too hard, but again, if somebody has had their hand in hundreds of houses you'd think they WANT a real and recorded public presence.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Varun Hegde:

Thought I'd get some advice on re-roofing a house in CLE, so I spoke with him for a bit. It was the most confusing conversation I've had in my life. Felt like I was speaking with a virtual assistant backed by AI.

He estimated my re-roof would be half the size at double the rate quotes I got from everybody else... truly amateur hour for somebody that claimed to have done hundreds of these.

I also was never able to find more than 5 property records tied to his name or to related LLCs. I didn't try too hard, but again, if somebody has had their hand in hundreds of houses you'd think they WANT a real and recorded public presence.

 You tried getting a roofing job from Bob Prisco aka Bob Stevens, or you tried getting a roofing job from Elliott Taylor? Both guys have been mentioned in this thread as less than honest operators in Cleveland, so not sure which one you are referring too.

[Varun Hegde]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Varun Hegde:

Thought I'd get some advice on re-roofing a house in CLE, so I spoke with him for a bit. It was the most confusing conversation I've had in my life. Felt like I was speaking with a virtual assistant backed by AI.

He estimated my re-roof would be half the size at double the rate quotes I got from everybody else... truly amateur hour for somebody that claimed to have done hundreds of these.

I also was never able to find more than 5 property records tied to his name or to related LLCs. I didn't try too hard, but again, if somebody has had their hand in hundreds of houses you'd think they WANT a real and recorded public presence.

 You tried getting a roofing job from Bob Prisco aka Bob Stevens, or you tried getting a roofing job from Elliott Taylor? Both guys have been mentioned in this thread as less than honest operators in Cleveland, so not sure which one you are referring too.

Ah sorry for vagueness - from Bob

[James Wise]

Quote from @Varun Hegde:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Varun Hegde:

Thought I'd get some advice on re-roofing a house in CLE, so I spoke with him for a bit. It was the most confusing conversation I've had in my life. Felt like I was speaking with a virtual assistant backed by AI.

He estimated my re-roof would be half the size at double the rate quotes I got from everybody else... truly amateur hour for somebody that claimed to have done hundreds of these.

I also was never able to find more than 5 property records tied to his name or to related LLCs. I didn't try too hard, but again, if somebody has had their hand in hundreds of houses you'd think they WANT a real and recorded public presence.

 You tried getting a roofing job from Bob Prisco aka Bob Stevens, or you tried getting a roofing job from Elliott Taylor? Both guys have been mentioned in this thread as less than honest operators in Cleveland, so not sure which one you are referring too.

Ah sorry for vagueness - from Bob

 Yea, that sounds about right.