Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspections

A Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection ensures continuing and ongoing lead hazard control in rental units.  Most rental units built before 1978 in Rhode Island need a Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection.

You do not need a Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection if:

  • It was built after 1978;

  • The unit has a Full Lead-Safe or current Conditional Lead Safe Certificate;

  • The property is temporary or seasonal housing rented no more than 100 days to the same tenant; or

  • The unit is designated for residents age 62 or older.

All pre-1978 painted surfaces are assumed to be lead paint and must be intact.

  • There is no paint or coating on a damaged or deteriorated component.

  • No surface has loose, delaminating, flaking, peeling, chipping, chalking, or blistering paint.

  • No paint is otherwise becoming separated from the surface it is coating.

  • No paint has been worn away by friction or impact.

  • No paint shows evidence of teeth marks or water damage.

  • All surfaces must be clean and free of lead dust, paint chips or debris.

  • All horizontal surfaces except ceilings (e.g., floors, stairs, windowsills, window wells) must be covered with a smooth, cleanable covering or coating.

  • Soil and water test results are not required and will not cause a unit to fail an inspection.

What is Required to Pass a Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection

What to Expect During the Inspection

A lead inspector will enter your property and look at all surfaces of the unit to see if the paint is intact.

  • Inspectors need access to every room in the unit, every common area in the building, and outside.

    • If they cannot access these areas, the unit will fail the inspection. Inspectors need to be able to see ceilings, walls, doors, inside closets and cabinets, windows, and windowsills.

  • Inspectors will collect at least three dust wipes for a unit.

    • For multi-family units, there should be at least one wipe per unit in each shared common area.

  • Inspectors will do a visual inspection of the exterior of the home.

  • Inspectors may test the soil and water for lead, but it is not required.

What to Do Before the Inspector Arrives

  • What to Do Before the Inspector Arrives

  • All walls need to be fully viewable. This includes the walls of closets and built-in shelving and furniture.

  • Renters should empty closets and place the removed items in the center of the room.

  • Closets should be clean.

Planning to paint or fix lead hazards before the inspector arrives?

Be sure to hire a licensed Lead Renovation Firm for any painting or lead hazard control work. This is a requirement of the Rhode Island's Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule.

Lead Safe Repair, And Painting