Lead Rental Registry Tenant Information

The Lead Rental Registry 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 main source of childhood lead poisoning. The Lead Rental Registry Program is launching in 25 communities of concern. These communities have the highest number of childhood lead poisonings and older rental properties. The Lead Rental Registry requires property owners (landlords) to remove sources of lead in pre-1980 rental housing with two or more units.

If you rent your home 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, your property owner may be required to comply with the Lead Rental Registry Law, which is in effect as of November 3, 2025.

Lead Poisoning and Lead Paint

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. Older homes remain the leading cause of lead exposure from peeling and chipping lead paint and dust. Yet, these exposures are preventable.

If you live in a rental property with two or more units built before 1980 in a community of concern you will need to work with your property owner to:

  • Provide access for a lead inspection: You will be asked to allow a qualified lead inspector inside your home. The inspector will look for chipping, peeling, and cracking lead paint and may perform lead dust sampling. They will also inspect outdoor areas for bare soil, which can contain lead.
  • Provide access for repairs: If lead hazards are identified, you will be asked to allow a certified contractor inside your home to do repairs. Some minor repair activities may be performed by your property owner; others may require an EPA-certified contractor to perform the work. You may be asked to clear your belongings and stay out of work areas.
  • Provide access for a follow-up inspection: When repairs are complete, you will be asked to allow a qualified lead inspector inside your home to confirm hazards are addressed. During this inspection, lead dust sampling may be performed. Your property owner must have your home inspected for lead hazards every three years and repair any hazards. However, you should notify your property owner any time you see chipping, peeling, or cracking paint or bare soil where children play. These should be promptly repaired.

Living in older homes increases risk of childhood lead poisoning. About 74% of lead poisoned children in New York State live in these 25 communities of concern. Safely repairing lead hazards in rental homes can significantly reduce the risk of exposure to lead.

At least every three years, your rental unit must be inspected for lead hazards and repaired if hazards are identified. Once this is completed, your property owner will be issued a lead safety certificate.

However, you don’t have to wait for three years to have your property inspected or repaired. If you identify chipping, peeling, or cracking paint, or bare soil where children play, notify your property owner. If your property owner does not promptly address the hazards, contact your local health department.

  • At minimum, an inspection includes a visual check of the inside and outside of rental units and common areas to identify chipping, peeling, or cracking paint, and any structural defects that could affect painted surfaces. It will also identify outdoor areas with any lead hazards in bare soil.
  • If lead hazards are identified, you will be notified and the property owner must conduct repairs in compliance with local, state and federal requirements. After lead hazard repairs are addressed, another lead hazard inspection will be performed.
  • Dust samples will be collected to confirm the home is free of lead dust.

Inspections may be done by a local health department, your local code enforcement office, or a private company that is EPA-certified. Your landlord may perform a lead hazard inspection if they become an EPA-certified Lead Risk Assessor.

All lead hazards must be repaired in a lead-safe manner. Your property owner is responsible for notifying you of lead hazards and the plan for repairs. You may be asked to clear your belongings and stay out of work areas until they are repaired. EPA-certified lead safe contractors must repair lead hazards. Contact your local health department or property owner if you have questions.

Lead safe work practices prevent lead dust from leaving the work area and prevent work that releases harmful dust or fumes. Workers must seal off the work area during repairs and clean up after the work is completed. Learn more about lead-safe renovation and repair. If you have further questions, contact your local health department.

Most lead hazard repairs can be done safely while your family remains in the rental unit. However, the lead inspector will let you know if you should leave your home during the repairs. If you have questions, contact your local health department.

Minor repair activities may be performed by your property owner. Others may require an EPA-certified contractor to perform the work. All contractors must be EPA-certified in lead safe repairs.

  • Test your child for lead at ages 1 and 2, and anytime testing is recommended by a health care provider. All children less than age 6 should have their blood tested for lead at least twice.
  • If your child has a blood lead level of 5 parts per billion or greater, contact your local health department.
  • Keep children away from peeling and chipping paint and other lead hazards until they are repaired.
  • Seal off and keep children out of work areas until the work is completed.
  • Cover or remove your belongings in the rooms during repairs.
  • Wash hands frequently throughout the day to remove lead dust, especially before eating or drinking.

No. You cannot be evicted because property owners don’t comply with the Lead Rental Registry Law. Eviction is a legal process to remove a tenant from the unit due to lease violations, such as non-payment of rent. You also cannot be evicted by reporting a landlord’s noncompliance to your local health department. If the property owner takes any action against you, you may file a complaint through the Office of the Attorney General website.