Lead Safety for Renters, Landlords, and Homeowners
Lead can be found in paint, dust, soil, and plumbing in older homes and buildings. Whether you rent, own, or are planning to buy or sell a home, it's important to understand the risks and your responsibilities.
Common sources of lead
Lead hides in more places than you think. You can find it in paint, soil, and water. It's important to understand sources of lead and how to avoid them.
Tenants: Stay safe from lead
If you rent a building built before 1978, your landlord must tell you about any known lead paint hazards. Understand your options and know what to do if your child is at risk.
Lead safety tips for any home
Lead may be in your home or rental. Easy, everyday tasks can make your home and family safer.
Hire a lead-safe contractor
Lead-safe contractors are trained to keep families safe when doing work on homes that contain lead paint. Landlords must hire lead-safe contractors for work that disturbs lead paint.
The Lead-Free/Lead-Safe Home Registry
The Lead-Free/Lead-Safe Registry is a listing of houses, apartments, and child-occupied facilities (such as day cares) that meet the lead-free or lead-safe property standards.
The Lead-Safe Homes Program
If you live in a home built before 1978 that has chipping or peeling paint, the Lead-Safe Homes Program may be able to help.
Information for home sellers and landlords
If you own or lease a home built before 1978, the following apply to you.
Under the Lead Disclosure Rule (Section 1018 of Title X), sellers, landlords, or sales agents must:
- Give the buyer or renter a copy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's pamphlet, Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.
- Disclose any known lead hazards.
Sellers must also give potential buyers a 10-day period to get a lead-based paint inspection or risk assessment.
The potential buyer or tenant must sign a disclosure form at the closing or lease signing: