Chestnut Hill Realty agrees to lead-paint settlement

A property manager has agreed to a nearly $320,000 settlement over its alleged failure to notify renters in the Boston area and Rhode Island about lead paint risks.

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced the agreement that was reached with Boston-based Chestnut Hill Realty.

Federal law requires tenants be notified about health risks in homes with lead paint. The EPA says inspections at five properties managed by Chestnut Hill turned up violations at each location.

The settlement requires the firm to pay a penalty of more than $28,000. The bulk of Chestnut Hill's settlement cost comes from a nearly $290,000 program to replace windows containing lead-based paint at a property in Cambridge.

Chesnut Hill President George McHugh says his company has taken corrective actions to make sure lead paint notification laws are followed. (AP)