Property Owner Informaiton on NJ Lead Laws
Schedule a lead inspection for your property ensuring you meet the recent New Jersey law.
NJ’s Lead-Safe Certification Law
Starting July 22, 2022, landlords in New Jersey must get all rental units tested for lead paint. If there are no new tenants, the testing must be done by July 24, 2024.
Landlords must get a “lead-safe” certificate before they can rent out a unit. This certificate shows that the unit is safe from lead paint hazards. The certificate is good for 2 years, or 3 years if there are no new tenants.
Different Lead Testing Methods
Landlords must test their rental units for lead paint. The test is either a dust wipe or a visual inspection, depending on where the unit is located.
- Dust wipe test: Checks for lead dust
- Visual inspection: Looks for peeling or chipping paint
If you got a letter from your town, it will tell you which test to do. If you’re not sure, you can find more information from the Department of Health’s here.
What Properties Need To Be Inspected
Rental units built before 1978 must be tested for lead paint. The testing method depends on where the unit is located. Some places need a visual inspection, while others need dust samples.
Some rental units may be exempt from the testing. However, the rules are complex. It’s best to talk to someone on our team to see if your units qualify for an exemption
How To Prepare For A Lead Inspection
Visual Inspections
Visual inspections are a quick way to check for lead paint problems. Our inspectors will look at your rental unit for peeling or chipping paint.
If there’s no problem, we’ll give you a “Lead Safe” certificate that’s good for 3 years unless a new tenant moves in.
If we find peeling or chipping paint, you’ll need to fix it before we can give you the certificate. This might mean cleaning up or repainting.
During the inspection:
- We’ll need to check inside your rental unit, including hallways, basements, and laundry rooms.
- We won’t check outside areas like porches.
- We’ll look for paint chips, dust, and paint residue on the floor.
- If we find any of these things, you won’t pass the inspection.
- Big paint chips or cracks will also fail the inspection.
