Multi-family Window Replacement Program

NOTE – This article was originally written in March of 2007 for the newsletter.

Lead can not only be hazardous to your health, it can also be hazardous to your investment. Lead abatement can be expensive and time consuming, hitting you where it hurts: The bottom line. Federal and State assistance has been available for years, but the method of disbursement has been inconvenient and, oftentimes, punitive.

Realizing that they have a major problem on their hands, and a glut of unused money to correct the problem, the City of St. Louis Building Division has created a new window replacement program for multi-family units. Mayor Francis Slay laid the groundwork for the program with his Comprehensive Action Plan for the Eradication of Childhood Lead Poisoning.

The Multi-Family Window Replacement Program is designed to help eliminate lead hazards in multi-family rental units, which are being marketed to low and middle-income families. Under the program, multi-family buildings with lead-painted, wooden windows can qualify for a $200 per window reimbursement credit for replacing their old windows with new double hung windows. The City of St. Louis will reimburse the owner for up to 10 windows per unit, for a potential total of $2000 per unit.

Vacant units, which an owner wishes to seek the credit, will be inspected by the City’s Building Division. This inspection, normally costing as much as $400, is offered free of charge. If lead is detected around the windows, the owner will then replace the problem windows. Anyone can install the windows, as long as they take the free 1-day class in Lead Safe Work Practices through the City.

After the windows have been installed the City’s Lead Inspector will return to perform a lead clearance test. If the unit does not pass the test, the owner will be instructed on what other steps need to be taken to complete the lead abatement. When clearance is granted, the owner will submit copies of their receipts and the City of St. Louis will reimburse the owner under the previously described criteria.

This program, if used properly, could be of huge benefit for investment property owners. With potentially $8000 in window credits per four-family, this one is really worth a look.

However, before taking the leap, be aware that there are some restrictions to the program. Most notably, rents for one-bedroom units in the program cannot exceed $526 a month and two-bedrooms cannot exceed $654 a month.

For more information on the program and it’s limitations call Jerry Wessells. He can be reached at 314.641.8677. Mr. Wessells can help answer any questions you might have. You can also download the paperwork to getting started in the program HERE.