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Last verified: · Confidence: high
What lead paint rules apply to landlords in District of Columbia?
Short answer
Give the DOEE lead-rights notice at every lease signing, renewal and rent increase notice
When: Whenever a tenant signs or renews a lease, and with every rent increase notice
Give tenants the Mayor's form explaining their rights under the DC lead law whenever they sign or renew a lease and whenever you give notice of a rent increase. If you learn of lead-based paint in a unit, tell the tenant within 10 days.
"The owner of a dwelling unit shall provide notice to its tenants of their rights under this subchapter on a form provided by the Mayor whenever the tenant executes or renews a lease for the unit and whenever the owner provides notice of a rent increase." code.dccouncil.gov
"Notify the tenant of the presence of lead-based paint within 10 days after discovering its presence; and" code.dccouncil.gov
Give the DOEE lead-rights notice at every lease signing, renewal and rent increase notice Verified
Deadline: Whenever a tenant signs or renews a lease, and with every rent increase notice
Give tenants the Mayor's form explaining their rights under the DC lead law whenever they sign or renew a lease and whenever you give notice of a rent increase. If you learn of lead-based paint in a unit, tell the tenant within 10 days.
"The owner of a dwelling unit shall provide notice to its tenants of their rights under this subchapter on a form provided by the Mayor whenever the tenant executes or renews a lease for the unit and whenever the owner provides notice of a rent increase." code.dccouncil.gov
"Notify the tenant of the presence of lead-based paint within 10 days after discovering its presence; and" code.dccouncil.gov
Notes: D.C. Code § 8-231.04(e), (f).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Pre-1978 units: DC lead disclosure form before the lease; a clearance report from the last 12 months if a child under 6 or pregnant person lives in or regularly visits Verified
Deadline: When the lease starts
Before a tenant is bound by a lease on a pre-1978 unit, give the DOEE lead disclosure form with what you reasonably know about lead-based paint, hazards and pending orders. If a child under 6 or a pregnant woman will live in or regularly visit the unit, also give a clearance report issued within the previous 12 months.
Who it covers: A 'person at risk' is a child under 6 or a pregnant woman. Instead of the form and clearance, an owner may provide a lead-free certification or three clearance reports at least 12 months apart within 7 years (no recent housing code violations). Also disclose lead water service line information (all units). Adds to the federal lead disclosure rule.
"The disclosures shall be provided before the purchaser or tenant is obligated under any contract to purchase or lease the dwelling unit." code.dccouncil.gov
"The owner of a dwelling unit constructed before 1978, which unit will be occupied or regularly visited by a person at risk, shall provide to the tenant an accurately and fully completed lead disclosure form and a clearance report issued within the previous 12 months." code.dccouncil.gov
"The landlord must also provide a current lead-safe “clearance report” to (a) a prospective tenant household that includes a child less than 6 years of age or a pregnant woman;" ota.dc.gov
Notes: D.C. Code § 8-231.04(a), (b), (d); OTA Tenant Bill of Rights § 2.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Provide a clearance report within 30 days after a tenant reports a child under 6 or pregnant person (pre-1978) Verified
Deadline: Within 30 days after the tenant notifies you in writing that a person at risk lives in or regularly visits the unit
If a tenant in a pre-1978 unit tells you in writing that a child under 6 or a pregnant woman lives there or visits regularly, give the tenant a clearance report issued within the previous 12 months, within 30 days.
"notifies the owner of the property in writing that a person at risk resides in or regularly visits the dwelling unit, the owner of the dwelling unit shall provide to the tenant within 30 days a clearance report issued within the previous 12 months." code.dccouncil.gov
Notes: D.C. Code § 8-231.04(c).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Federal lead disclosure rules that also apply
These apply to housing built before 1978 in every state, on top of the rules above.