Are you planning to buy or rent a home built before 1978?
Did you know that many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint? Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards.
Before renting or buying a pre-1978 home or apartment, federal law requires:
- Sellers must disclose known information on lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards before selling a house.
- Real estate sales contracts must include a specific warning statement about lead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead.
- Landlords must disclose known information on lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a specific warning statement about lead-based paint.
If undertaking renovations, repairs or painting (RRP) projects in your pre-1978 home or apartment:
Read EPA’s pamphlet, The Lead-Safe Certified Guide To Renovate Right, to learn about the lead-safe work practices that contractors are required to follow when working in your home.
Simple steps to protect your family from lead hazards
If you think your home has lead-based paint:
- Don’t try to remove lead-based paint yourself.
- Always keep painted surfaces in good condition to minimize deterioration.
- Get your home checked for lead hazards. Find a certified inspector or risk assessor at epa.gov/lead.
- Talk to your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping paint
- Regularly clean floors, window seals and other surfaces.
- Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling.
- When renovating, repairing or painting, hire only EPA- or state- approved Lead-Safe certified renovations firms.
- Before buying, renting or renovating your home, have it checked for lead-based paint.
- Consult your health care provider about testing your children for lead. Your pediatrician can check for lead with a simple blood test.
- Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
- Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods high in iron, calcium and vitamin C.
- Remove shoes or wipe soil off shoes before entering your house.