Renting, Buying, or Renovating a Pre-1978 Home

If you are planning to rent, buy, or renovate a pre-1978 property, federal law requires that you receive certain information and/or take certain steps before doing so.

Renting

Landlords must disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint.

Buying and Selling

Sellers of pre-1978 properties must disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards.

Renovating Property

If you are planning to renovate a pre-1978 home there are steps you can take to ensure that renovations are conducted properly and do not result in the release of lead from paint and dust into the air:

• Federal law requires that contractors provide lead information to residents before renovating a pre-1978 home. Before starting work, renovators must give you a pamphlet titled, "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home" [PDF file].

• Have the area tested for lead-based paint

• Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint, since these methods create a large amount of dust and fumes

• Temporarily move your family, especially children and pregnant women, out of the home until the work is done and properly cleaned. If your family cannot be moved, make sure that the work area is properly sealed off.