Lead Rental Registry
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Landlords and contractors in 25 communities of concern are encouraged to review draft Lead Rental Registry Program Regulations (p.29) and read below to learn more about Lead Rental Registry Program requirements.
The New York State Lead Rental Registry Program addresses the leading cause of childhood lead poisonings by requiring landlords to remove sources of lead exposure in pre-1980 rental units in 25 communities of concern identified in New York State Public Health Law (PHL) § 1377. These communities have the highest number of childhood lead poisonings and older rental properties, which can expose families to dangerous lead from peeling and chipping lead paint, and dust.
This national leading prevention program will launch in Albany, Amsterdam, Auburn, Binghamton, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Elmira, Gloversville, Jamestown, Kingston, Middletown, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Rome, Schenectady, Spring Valley, Syracuse, Troy, Utica, Watertown, and Yonkers.
The public comment period for draft regulations ends on February 23, 2025. After regulations are finalized, the Department will offer trainings for landlords, contractors, and local code enforcement officers. The final regulations are scheduled to go into effect in November 2025.
The 2023-2024 New York State Capital Budget made available an annual allocation of $20 million for the purposes of lead hazard remediation. The New York State Homes and Community Renewal Housing Trust Fund Corporation is awarding funds to help provide technical and financial assistance to landlords to address lead hazards in rental properties.
Before the regulations go into effect, use this time to get EPA certified in lead renovation, repair, and painting.
Older homes increase risks of lead poisoning.
Lead poisoning is extremely dangerous, especially for young children. There is no safe level of lead. Once in the body, lead can cause lifelong brain damage, permanent injury, and disabilities. Pre-1980 homes remain the leading cause of lead exposure from peeling and chipping lead paint and dust. Yet, these exposures are preventable.
The New York State Lead Rental Registry Program for rental units in 25 communities of concern.
Regulations will apply to rental units built before 1980 in communities of concern. Communities of concern include Albany, Amsterdam, Auburn, Binghamton, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Elmira, Gloversville, Jamestown, Kingston, Middletown, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Rome, Schenectady, Spring Valley, Syracuse, Troy, Utica, Watertown, and Yonkers.
Regulations will require that:
- Pre-1980 housing with two or more rental units are inspected and documented as free of lead paint hazards before they can be issued a lead safety certification.
- Landlords must oversee prompt cleanup and lead safe repairs when hazards are identified. Compliance will be tracked, monitored, and enforced.
Regulations will be finalized after the comment period and should go into effect by November 2025.
The Lead Rental Registry Program is expanding local health department Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs in Albany, Broome, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Jefferson, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schenectady, Ulster, and Westchester.
Local Health Department programs can support:
- Training and certification programs to increase the number of EPA Certified lead risk assessors and contractors to identify and remove lead hazards from rental properties.
- Outreach activities to landlords about the upcoming Lead Rental Registry Program requirements.
- Outreach and education efforts about tenant rights as well as what families can do to prevent childhood lead exposure.
Landlords and contractors across the State and in the Lead Rental Registry communities must be EPA certified in lead renovation, repair, and painting.
Lead-safe certification is federally mandated when projects disturb paint in a pre-1978 rental property.
