Protect Against The Hazards Of Lead-Based Paint In Your Home Part 1 Of 3

What Homeowners & Renters Should Know About Lead-Based Paint

Many homes (including condominiums) built prior to 1978 contain lead-based paint. Paint can show signs of wear and chip or deteriorate. If that paint is lead-based, this deterioration can result in lead dust, which poses serious health risks to the people who live in the home and to their guests. It is important to know about your rights before you sign a contract to purchase a home or a lease to rent one.

For Homebuyers:

Under federal law, if you are purchasing a home built before 1978, the seller must provide you with the following:

• An information pamphlet approved by the EPA called “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home,” which explains how to identify and control lead-based paint hazards. It is available in many formats and several different languages.
• Any information they have regarding the presence of lead-based paint or hazards from lead-based paint in the home. If the building is multi-unit, the seller must include reports and records regarding any common areas or other units in the building.
• A disclosure either in the contract itself or as an attachment that includes a “Lead Warning Statement” confirming that the seller has met all the requirements to notify you, the buyer, of any lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards.
• Ten days to have a lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazard inspection or risk assessment conducted. The buyer and the seller can make a written agreement to either shorten or lengthen the amount of time given for the inspection. The buyer may also waive the right to the inspection.

If you have any concerns that the home may contain lead-based paint, make sure you get an inspection from a certified lead-based paint inspector before purchasing the home.

For Renters:

Under federal law, before you sign a lease for housing that was built before 1978, the landlord must provide you with the following:

• An information pamphlet approved by the EPA called “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home,” which explains how to identify and control lead-based paint hazards. It is available in many formats and several different languages.
• Any information they have regarding the presence of lead-based paint or hazards from lead-based paint in the home. If the building is multi-unit, the landlord must include reports and records regarding any common areas or other units in the building.
• A disclosure either in the contract itself or as an attachment that includes a “Lead Warning Statement” confirming that the landlord has met all the requirements to notify you, the renter, of any lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards.

If you have any concerns that the home may contain lead-based paint, ask the landlord to get an inspection from a certified lead-based paint inspector before you sign the lease.

For information on getting your home inspected for lead, read part two of this three part series here, Consumer Protection: Protect Against The Hazards Of Lead-Based Paint In Your Home Part 2 Of 3