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Hello,

I just signed a lease on a very cute old apartment in Williamsburg. I wasn’t thinking about lead paint, and the landlord didn’t mention it at the lease signing. However now I’m very concerned. There is pealing paint on all the windows, doors, and old tin ceiling. Now I’m trying to figure out what to do. I’m assuming I should talk to the landlord and tell him I’m pregnant (I didn’t mention/he didn’t ask at lease signing) and ask him if he can help pay for the clean up, or if I can back out of the lease somehow. I haven’t moved in yet, and actually have one more month on my current place, so I have time for renovation or to find another apartment. My question is: do you know what my rights are here? Is this all my mistake? Or should he be responsible for clean-up, and/or consider letting me break the lease? Also if I break the lease, am I out 1st, last and security?

thanks in advance for any advice.