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Last verified: · Confidence: high
What lead paint rules apply to landlords in Massachusetts?
Short answer
Delead or contain lead hazards when a child under 6 lives in the unit
When: When a child under 6 resides in the unit (new owners: within 90 days of change of ownership)
If a child under six lives in a unit with dangerous lead levels, the owner must abate or contain the lead hazards (obtaining a letter of compliance or interim control).
"The Lead Law requires the removal or covering of lead paint hazards in homes built before 1978 where any children under 6 live." mass.gov
"Whenever a child under six years of age resides in any premises in which any paint, plaster or other accessible structural material contains dangerous levels of lead, the owner shall abate or contain said paint," malegislature.gov
"undergoes a change of ownership and as a result a child under six years of age will become or will continue to be a resident therein, the new owner shall have ninety days to contain or abate said paint, plaster or other accessible structural material" malegislature.gov
Delead or contain lead hazards when a child under 6 lives in the unit Verified
Deadline: When a child under 6 resides in the unit (new owners: within 90 days of change of ownership)
If a child under six lives in a unit with dangerous lead levels, the owner must abate or contain the lead hazards (obtaining a letter of compliance or interim control).
Who it covers: Homes built before 1978 with lead hazards where a child under six resides. New owner has 90 days after purchase. Applies to small and owner-occupied rentals too.
"The Lead Law requires the removal or covering of lead paint hazards in homes built before 1978 where any children under 6 live." mass.gov
"Whenever a child under six years of age resides in any premises in which any paint, plaster or other accessible structural material contains dangerous levels of lead, the owner shall abate or contain said paint," malegislature.gov
"undergoes a change of ownership and as a result a child under six years of age will become or will continue to be a resident therein, the new owner shall have ninety days to contain or abate said paint, plaster or other accessible structural material" malegislature.gov
Notes: M.G.L. c.111 §197. Owners may not refuse to rent to families with children because of lead (anti-discrimination, §199A, not snapshotted).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Tenant Lead Law Notification and lead records before renting (pre-1978) Verified
Deadline: Prior to entering into a tenancy agreement
Before a new tenancy, give the prospective tenant the state lead notification materials and form, the most recent lead inspection report / letter of compliance or interim control, and two copies of a signed receipt certification.
Who it covers: Applies whether or not a child under 6 will live there. Satisfies both state and federal tenant notification if the state form is used together with records.
"owners must comply with Tenant Notification requirements when a prospective tenant is about to rent a home built before 1978. This applies whether they have a child under 6 or not." mass.gov
"prior to entering into a tenancy agreement, the owner of premises or such other person to whom rent is to be regularly paid, shall provide a prospective tenant who is about to enter such an agreement to rent premises with:" malegislature.gov
Notes: M.G.L. c.111 §197A(d); pre-1978 scope from the DPH Tenant Lead Law Notification page (regulation 105 CMR 460.725 not snapshotted).
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.