MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Letters have been sent to 27 Vermont landlords in Chittenden and Washington counties from Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell asking them to demonstrate compliance with the state's lead law.

The landlords, who control rental properties built prior to 1978, have been given 90 days to show compliance with the law.

"These letters continue the lead poisoning prevention efforts of my office state-wide," Sorrell said.

"We have already sent letters to landlords in ten counties and there was an 18 percent increase in lead compliance filings in 2009. Hopefully, that trend will continue."

Thirteen Chittenden County landlords and 14 Washington County landlords received the letters as part of a continuing state-wide initiative by Sorrell's office. This is the second time that Chittenden County landlords have received such letters.

A similar mailing was made in early 2009 to Burlington landlords. Additional letters have been sent to landlords in Rutland, Windsor, Orange, Franklin, Windham, Bennington and the three Northeast Kingdom counties.

Sorrell also announced that his office's Consumer Assistance Program will begin accepting tenant's housing complaints as of February 1.

After receiving a housing complaint, CAP will confirm that landlords who subjected tenants to the complaint are in compliance with Vermont's lead in housing law. Any landlord found to not be in compliance will be given 90 days to come into compliance and notify the attorney general's office.