What must happen if an owner fails to achieve property compliance by the end of the safe harbor period?

When an owner fails to achieve property compliance by the end of the safe harbor period, they are subject to strict liability. This means that the owner can be held accountable for lead hazards without the need for the plaintiff to prove negligence or fault. In the context of lead paint regulations, this strict liability serves to emphasize the importance of compliance with safety standards designed to protect public health, especially for children who are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure.

The concept of strict liability means that once the safe harbor period has expired without compliance, legal repercussions automatically follow. This ensures that property owners prioritize lead hazard management and remediation efforts, ultimately benefiting public health.

The other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of failing to comply. Additional time to comply is not typically granted once the safe harbor period has ended; appeals may be possible, but they do not negate the strict liability placed on the owner; and fines are part of enforcement actions that arise from non-compliance but are not the immediate consequence prescribed by strict liability laws.