Lead Paint Disclosure: The 5-Minute Checklist Most Landlords Skip | RentAdminly

Federal law requires lead paint disclosure for any pre-1978 rental. Skipping it can cost $19,000+ per violation — and most violations are paperwork, not paint.

By Marcus Williams | April 23, 2026

Federal law requires lead paint disclosure for any pre-1978 rental. Skipping it can cost $19,000+ per violation — and most violations are paperwork, not paint.

The compliance gap

The federal lead paint disclosure rule has been on the books since 1992, but a meaningful share of pre-1978 rentals still go out without proper disclosure. The penalty: up to $19,500 per violation as of recent EPA enforcement updates, plus potential treble damages in civil suits. And the rule is genuinely not hard to comply with — most violations are missed paperwork, not actual lead exposure.

This is the 5-minute checklist.

!Peeling paint chips on a wall

Who has to comply

The rule (Section 1018 of the 1992 Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act) applies to:

  • **Any residential rental built before 1978**, regardless of whether you know there is lead paint or not
  • **Any sale** of a pre-1978 residential property
  • **Both landlords AND property managers** — both can be liable

    • Exemptions:

  • Housing built 1978 or later
  • Zero-bedroom dwellings (studio efficiency units, dormitories)
  • Housing for the elderly (62+) or disabled, unless children may live there
  • Short-term rentals of fewer than 100 days
  • A property certified lead-free by an accredited inspector

    • What you must do

    For every new lease (or lease renewal that resets terms) on a pre-1978 unit, you must:

    1. Provide the EPA pamphlet

    Either "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home" (English/Spanish) or an EPA-approved alternative. Free download from EPA's website. Give it to the tenant before lease signing.

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