Lead Rental Registry
What's New
The New York State Lead Rental Registry Law is in effect in 25 communities of concern as of November 3, 2025. Final regulations were published in the State Register on April 8, 2026.
The nation-leading law addresses lead hazards in rental homes before a child experiences the harmful effects of lead.
Peeling and chipping lead paint and dust remain the primary source of childhood lead poisoning. The Lead Rental Registry Program is launching in 25 communities of concern with the highest number of childhood lead poisonings and older rental properties. It requires property owners to address lead hazards in pre-1980 residential rental housing with two or more units.
Local health departments have been helping property owners comply with regulations. Property owners should continue to:
- Enter your property information into Lead Safe NY. No action is needed from property owners in Monroe County.
- Get EPA certified in lead renovation, repair, and painting.
- Check health.ny.gov/LeadRentalRegistry as more resources are being added.
- Notify tenants about the Lead Rental Registry by distributing this fact sheet: English, Spanish, Russian, Haitian Creole, Traditional Chinese, Polish, Burmese, French, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Italian, Korean, Urdu, and Yiddish
- Learn more about available funding for repairs:
Property Owners
Learn more about Lead Rental Registry requirements in the 25 communities of concern.
Tenants
Find out more about how you may be affected by the Lead Rental Registry Law.
Lead Safe NY
Access Lead Safe NY to register and view your rental properties, if your county is using New York State's Lead Rental Registry data system.
Forms
- Lead Inspection Part A Exterior & Common Areas (DOH-5844)
- Lead Inspection Part B Interior Rental Unit (DOH-5843)
- Owner Occupied Attestation (DOH-5842)
Need Help?
Contact your local health department or Rental.Registry@health.ny.gov.
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. These exposures are preventable.
The Lead Rental Registry Program is expanding local health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs in communities of concern.
The Lead Rental Registry Program addresses rental units built before 1980 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.
Requirements
- Pre-1980 housing with two or more units must registered in Lead Rental Registry data systems, regardless if units are owner-/family-occupied.
- Rental units must be inspected. documented as free of lead hazards before they can be issued a lead safety certification.
- Property owners and landlords must oversee prompt cleanup and lead safe repairs when hazards are identified. Compliance will be tracked, monitored, and enforced.
State and Local Health Department programs can support:
- Training and certification programs to increase the number of EPA-certified lead risk assessors and contractors who identify and remove lead hazards from rental properties.
- Outreach activities to property owners and landlords about Lead Rental Registry Program requirements.
- Outreach and education efforts about tenant rights as well as what families can do to prevent childhood lead exposure.
Property owners, landlords, and contractors performing lead-safe repairs 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.
- Learn more about property owner requirements under the Lead Rental Registry Law.
- Learn more about lead safe renovation and repairs in all communities in New York State.
