Two Syracuse landlords have reached a settlement with the state following an investigation into unsafe living conditions and lead hazards at multiple rental properties.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the agreement with Brian and Harry Murphy after the Office of the Attorney General found they failed to address deteriorating lead-based paint properly and did not consistently provide required disclosures to tenants.
The investigation determined the landlords allowed hazardous conditions to persist across nearly two dozen properties, many located in low-income neighborhoods. Between 2017 and 2025, at least 23 properties were cited for lead hazards and deteriorating paint, resulting in hundreds of violations. Officials say at least seven children living in those homes had elevated blood lead levels.
As part of the settlement, the Murphys will establish a $35,000 tenant relief fund for families impacted by lead exposure and commit at least $80,000 toward inspections, risk assessments, and remediation work at affected properties.
They are also required to conduct comprehensive lead hazard assessments, fix all identified issues on a strict timeline, and hire an independent monitor to oversee compliance. The agreement mandates annual inspections and full adherence to state and federal housing and lead safety laws. Failure to comply could result in additional penalties of up to $80,000.
State and local officials say the settlement is part of ongoing efforts to address lead exposure in older housing, particularly in Syracuse, where a large portion of homes were built before lead-based paint was banned.
Health experts warn that lead exposure can cause serious and irreversible developmental and neurological damage in children, especially those under six years old.
The Attorney General’s Office says it will continue pursuing enforcement actions against landlords who fail to meet safety standards and put tenants at risk.
