Senator Perkins Calls for Hearings on Toxic Rental

I-Team: State Senator Wants Hearings on Toxic Rental
DEC says Harlem tenants treated fairly, but will change notification policy

By Chris Glorioso and Tom Burke |  Wednesday, Jul 11, 2012  |  Updated 7:33 AM EDT

A New York state senator is calling for hearings after an NBC 4 I-Team investigation revealed that tenants of a Harlem building were never told of the site’s toxic history before they signed rental agreements.

“It was a shocking thing,” said State Sen. Bill Perkins of Harlem. “It was a disturbing thing.”

Perkins said he wants to force the Department of Environmental Conservation to be more active in notifying renters about Superfund sites, even if landlords don’t.

"I'm angry that they have to be forced,” said Perkins. “I mean, come on, Department of Environmental Conservation. This should not have to be brought up in an investigation. This should be the number one concern."

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