Lead Information for Renters and Tenants
Landlords and property management companies play an important role in protecting the health of their tenants, including children.
Your landlord is responsible for maintaining their property, including painted surfaces that may contain lead. Additionally, federal law sets disclosure requirements and safe work practices for lead-based paint. Safe work practices are very important when it comes to prevent being exposed to large amounts of dangerous lead dust!
The EPA’s Real Estate Lead Disclosure Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that property managers and landlords provide prospective tenants of buildings that were built before 1978 a few different pieces of information so that they can be aware of what lead hazards may exist in their home:
- Read "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home", an EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards.
- Landlords must also share any known information about lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the building.
- Must have a lead disclosure attachment in the lease or language inserted into the lease that includes a “Lead Warning Statement” and confirms that the landlord has complied with all notification requirements. Download a sample lead disclosure attachment.
Visit the EPA’s website about real estate lead disclosure requirements.
The EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule
Another way that the EPA protects tenants and renters from lead exposure is through the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP Rule).
The RRP Rule requires that contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and/or pre-schools built before 1978 be by the EPA (or an EPA authorized state). This means that your landlord must use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers and follow lead-safe work practices and includes landlords who perform the renovations themselves. Visit the EPA’s page about the RRP Rule.
Where to File a Report if Rules are Violated
If you think that your landlord has not followed the EPA’s disclosure or RRP rules, a complaint can be filed with the EPA.
While the landlord plays an important role, it also the job of the parent(s) to help keep kids safe from lead exposure!
See our prevention page for information about ways you can keep your family safe from lead exposure through simple tasks like wet cleaning, vacuuming using a HEPA filter vacuum, and keeping your children from putting non-food items in their mouths.
Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program
There is currently funding available in Allegheny County for landlords, renters, and homeowners who need assistance making their property lead safe. The Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program provides free home repairs to keep families safe from lead paint. Want to apply? Call 412-227-5700.
To be eligible, families must:
- Be homeowners or renters in Allegheny County
- Live in a home built before 1978
- Have a child under 6 who lives in or regularly visits the home OR a pregnant woman who lives in the home
- Meet applicable income limits
The Program provides the following services free of charge to eligible families:
- Lead paint testing throughout your home
- Home repairs to address all lead hazards
- Lead safety education
Want to see if you qualify? Call 412-227-5700.
Other Resources
Check out our resources page to get information about county-facilitated in-home services, services provided by the Allegheny County Health Department, find out how to locate a certified lead-safe professional, get additional information about lead, and more.