Syracuse Landlord to Sell 19 Rentals After Lead Violations
Tenants face property ownership changes as the landlord must sell all units within 180 days to resolve lead paint safety issues.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Apartments
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Syracuse landlord William D'Angelo has agreed in court to sell his 19 local rental properties following his failure to meet lead paint safety requirements. The court settlement requires D'Angelo to finalize the property sales within 180 days and address outstanding lead violations at his units under state oversight.
Why it matters
This court-ordered divestment follows a pattern of lead paint hazards and city code violations that impacted the safety of local residents. The agreement allows the landlord to avoid a contempt of court finding and potential jail time after failing to meet repair mandates from a 2024 settlement.
D'Angelo must complete the sale of his 19 Syracuse properties within 180 days, with all buyers subject to approval by the New York Attorney General's office. He faces a $100 daily fine for missing repair deadlines and previously paid $230,000 for remediation and an $80,000 fund for 16 lead-poisoned children.
The players
William D'Angelo
A Syracuse-based landlord who owns 19 rental properties and is subject to court-ordered divestment due to repeated lead paint violations.
New York Attorney General's Office
The state agency responsible for overseeing consumer protection and lead safety enforcement in rental housing.
The details
Under the terms of the settlement, D'Angelo is prohibited from performing lead paint remediation himself and must instead hire federally approved abatement contractors to fix remaining hazards. The state oversight process ensures that future sales and repairs meet regulatory standards, preventing the landlord from avoiding required lead abatement measures. Any failure to meet these specific repair timelines will trigger immediate daily financial penalties.
Timeline
2024: D'Angelo signed an initial settlement agreement regarding property maintenance.
October 29, 2026: D'Angelo officially agreed to sell his properties in court.
180 days from the court order: Deadline for D'Angelo to complete the sale of his rental portfolio.
The Home Front
This forced sale marks a significant step in the enforcement of local housing standards in Syracuse. It updates the oversight framework previously established by the 2024 settlement agreement regarding lead paint remediation.
If you are a tenant in one of these properties, document any ongoing maintenance concerns or lead hazards and contact your local housing authority for guidance. Monitor upcoming listings if you are currently renting, as property management changes may occur within the 180-day window.
The takeaway
The court's mandate requires a complete turnover of the portfolio to ensure safety protocols are followed. Tenants should maintain records of all communication with property management regarding repairs and report any unresolved safety issues to city code enforcement.
Further reading
For more information on tenant safety and building regulations, visit Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Syracuse.
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