Rental Property Owner's Guide to Lead Paint Testing in Cleveland, OH

Understanding the Requirement

All rental properties built before 1978 in Cleveland must undergo lead hazard testing before obtaining a rental registry license. This is not optional—it's a legal requirement to protect tenants, especially children, from lead poisoning.

Cleveland Lead Safe Certification Requirements

Initial Certification

• Property Age: Applies to all properties built before 1978
• Timing: Required before rental license issuance or renewal
• Inspector: Must use EPA-certified lead risk assessor or inspector
• Process: Visual inspection, dust wipe sampling, optional paint chip and soil testing

Certificate Validity

• Lead clearance certificates are valid for 2 years
• Must be renewed before expiration to maintain rental license
• New testing required at each renewal

Testing Process

What to Expect During Inspection

1. Exterior Inspection: Visual inspection and photography of exterior painted surfaces
2. Interior Inspection: Room-by-room visual inspection with diagrams and photographs
3. Dust Wipe Sampling: Samples collected from:
   • Doors and door frames
   • Floors in high-traffic areas
   • Window sills and troughs
   • Walls and stairs
4. Laboratory Analysis: Samples secured and sent to certified lab (24-72 hours, overnight available)
5. Report Delivery: Report is immediately produced upon receiving lab results and filed for you

Preparation Requirements

Critical: Properties must be clean before testing. Dirty or cluttered rooms can negatively affect test results and may result in additional cleaning fees.

• Clean all floors, window sills, and surfaces
• Remove clutter from rooms
• Ensure access to all areas requiring inspection
• Notify tenants in advance

If Lead is Detected

When test results exceed EPA action levels, remediation is required:

Remediation Options

• Encapsulation: Sealing lead paint with special coatings
• Enclosure: Covering lead surfaces with new materials
• Removal: Complete removal by licensed abatement contractor
• Replacement: Removing and replacing components (windows, doors, etc.)

Working with Licensed Contractors

Only EPA-certified Lead-Safe firms can perform renovation work in properties built before 1978. Our company will:

• Develop a site-specific work plan at no cost
• Refer you to state-licensed remediation contractors
• Act as your advocate to manage the process daily
• Reinspect the property after remediation (no charge)
• Issue lead-free certification upon successful clearance

Financial Assistance

Ohio Lead Safe Program

The Ohio Department of Health offers assistance programs for lead remediation:

• Available for low- to moderate-income property owners
• Can help cover inspection and remediation costs
• Contact Ohio Department of Health for current program availability
• We can provide guidance on available assistance options

Legal Obligations & Penalties

Landlord Requirements

• Provide EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home" to all tenants
• Disclose known lead-based paint hazards before lease signing
• Maintain lead-safe certification throughout tenancy
• Respond promptly to tenant reports of deteriorating paint

Consequences of Non-Compliance

• Rental license denial or revocation
• Civil penalties up to $19,507 per violation (EPA)
• Criminal penalties for willful violations
• Liability for tenant health issues
• Inability to legally collect rent

EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP)

Beyond certification, any renovation work that disturbs more than 6 square feet of painted surfaces must:

• Be performed by EPA-certified Lead-Safe firms
• Follow lead-safe work practices
• Use proper containment methods
• Include post-work cleaning verification

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

During our lead inspection, we also test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at no additional charge. If applicable, we'll change batteries at no cost.

Key Resources

• Cleveland Lead Safe Certification Portal: clevelandohio.gov/residents/codes-ordinances/residents-first/lead-safe-certification
• Ohio Department of Health Lead Program: odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/childhood-lead-poisoning
• EPA Lead Program: epa.gov/lead
• Lead Safe Resource Center: Contact your local resource center for assistance