When renting private-sector apartments not affiliated with any university, students and their parents should do their homework before signing that lease.

Vigilance should be your watchword, or else you may belatedly discover that your landlord has taken serious shortcuts in the maintenance of rental properties.

Due to recent developments, a few UMass Lowell and Fitchburg State University students might just be experiencing some renters’ remorse.

As reported in this newspaper, two owners of four companies and apartments marketed to Lowell and Fitchburg college students have been charged with 106 counts of violating the Massachusetts Clean Air Act in their handling of asbestos, according to state Attorney General Maura Healey.

A grand jury indicted brothers Christopher L. “Christie” DeRosa, 68, and Steven J. DeRosa, 62, on 28 and 22 counts, respectively, of Clean Air Act violations.

The indictments also charge four companies associated with the brothers’ business.

The brothers and companies stand accused of illegally demolishing, storing and transporting asbestos waste.

The allegations stem from renovation work at four Lowell apartment buildings and one Fitchburg multifamily house.

The brothers, longtime area landlords and real estate developers, face arraignment in Middlesex Superior Court and Worcester Superior Court.

Asbestos is especially prevalent in older buildings.

If asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled, it can damage the lungs, cause scarring, malfunction and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

These charges don’t signify guilt; the defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

But the potentially serious health consequences contained in these charges behoove prospective renters to properly vet that property owner before making that commitment.

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Originally Appeared Here