A Buffalo landlord accused of allowing dangerous lead conditions in dozens of rental homes has agreed to pay over half a million dollars in a settlement secured by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The agreement, filed Friday in Erie County Supreme Court, resolves a 2023 lawsuit against Farhad Raiszadeh and the Raiszadeh Group, who own 78 properties — most rented to low-income families in Buffalo. According to the Attorney General’s Office, their failure to fix peeling lead paint contributed to lead poisoning in at least 14 children between 2017 and 2025.
“For years, Farhad Raiszadeh and the Raiszadeh Group failed to protect tenant families despite repeated warnings,” said Attorney General James. “Today, we are ensuring that hundreds of thousands of dollars will be invested directly into making these homes safe.”
Settlement terms
The landlords will:
- Pay $515,000, including $70,000 for a tenant relief fund and $445,000 for lead hazard inspections and repairs
- Fix all open lead-related code violations within 60 days
- Complete full lead remediation at affected properties within 18 months
- Provide temporary housing or compensation if tenants must relocate during repairs
- Undergo third-party monitoring, EPA-certified inspections, and submit quarterly progress reports
They’re also barred from selling any properties until they are certified lead-safe, and must provide lead safety disclosures and inspection results to tenants.
Widespread violations, disproportionate impact
Officials said 75% of the Raiszadeh Group’s buildings were cited for lead-related violations. All of the buildings are presumed to contain lead-based paint, a major health threat — especially for young children.
Buffalo has one of the highest childhood lead poisoning rates in the U.S., with communities of color and low-income families most at risk. Lead exposure can cause irreversible brain damage, learning disabilities, and developmental delays.
“No child should be exposed to toxic hazards at home,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. “This settlement is a step forward in protecting families and holding landlords accountable.”
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