Mold Inspector finds mold in the property he manages!

Rest assured We are on a mission to help you pass the test so we do everything in our power to get you ready!
including a full breakdown of what needs to be done!

Do I have to be there during testing? Answer: No. 

Bill # Frequently Asked Questions about Bill No. 180936-A

Compliance with the Philadelphia Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification Law

Steps to obtain and submit a Lead Safe Certificate

1. If the property was built before March 1978, the landlord must contact an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified lead dust sampling technician (LDST) to perform a lead safe dust sampling test in the home or property unit. There is an updated list of LDST on the City website at: https://www.phila.gov/documents/lead-and-healthy-homes-resources-for-landlords/

2. If the property was built after February 1978, the landlord is exempt from getting the property tested for lead paint hazards. The landlord must submit documentation of proof that the property was built after February 1978.

3. If there were no lead dust hazards found from the dust wipe test, the lead dust sampling technician will provide a lead safe certificate after the dust wipe test results are received. This certificate must be provided to the tenant and a copy of the certificate with the dust wipe results must be submitted to the Lead and Healthy Homes Program through the Lead Certification Submission Site.

4. In order to submit the certificate to the Health Department, each landlord will need to upload their dust wipe results and certificate to the City Lead Certification Submission Site. This link can be found here: https://leadcertification.phila.gov/login.

5. The lead safe certificates are valid for four years if submitted after February 1, 2020.

6. The process for obtaining a lead free certificate is different from obtaining a lead safe certificate.

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9. Will any rental properties be exempt?

Once a zip code is phased into the law, the new ordinance exempts any property built after February 1978, and college and university housing and other educational housing that is exclusively for students where non-family members are not permitted to reside.

10. What kind of inspection and testing is needed for a property to be certified as lead safe or lead free?

 A Lead Dust Sampling Technician (LDST) or PA-Certified Risk Assessor can provide a lead safe certificate by completing a dust wipe inspection to check for lead dust hazards. This test is done after they have determined that the property is free of deteriorated, flaking, chipping, peeling, chalking or not-intact paint. If the interior dust wipe sample report did not find hazardous levels of lead-contaminated dust the technician can issue the lead safe certificate.

 A property or unit is considered lead free when the property has been certified as such by a PA certified lead inspector or risk assessor, meaning that it does not have any lead-based paint based on EPA/HUD standards. This certificate is valid indefinitely and must be provided to the tenant before the tenant enters into a lease. A copy of the full inspection report must be provided to the Health Department.

11. What do I do if my rental property fails the test?

12. How do I find a contractor that can safely repair peeling paint or a

What do I need to do if I fail? 

a contractor that can safely repair peeling paint or address other problems found on a lead inspection?

 You may find an updated list on the EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair- and-painting-program-contractors

 You may also visit the EPA website at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/pub/index.cfm?do=main.firmSearch

 If you consider using a contractor to remediate the hazards, be certain the contractor is EPA- certified Renovation Repair and Painting (RRP). The landlord must ask the contractor to provide their RRP certification and/or PA license before hiring.

13. Does the tenant need to sign the certificate? What if the tenant is unable to or refuses to sign the certificate?

No, the tenant does not need to sign the certificate, however, the landlord must provide a copy of

the Lead safe/lead free certificate at the time the lease is signed.

14. What is to be done if a current existing tenant refuses entry to perform a lead test? What steps do we need to take legally to prove they refused entry?

If the tenant refuses to let the landlord in to conduct a lead dust wipe test, you must contact the tenant in writing via e-mail or postal mail. A copy of this written notification, along with verification that the tenant received it must be submitted to the Health Department.

15. After the law begins to take effect in October 2020, what are the penalties for the owner being non-compliant and how will it be enforced?

The owner will not be able to renew the rental license without a valid lead safe or lead free certificate. The Health Department will proceed legal action which may include code violations,

For a lead-safe certificate, the LDST must ensure visual compliance and then take lead dust

samples. If the lead dust samples fail this test, the area must be corrected by a certified renovator

and then the technician should ensure that all surfaces are intact and re-take d