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Last verified: 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium

What lead paint rules apply to landlords in New York?

Short answer

NYS Lead Rental Registry: register and obtain a Lead Safety Certificate at least every 3 years (25 communities, pre-1980, 2+ units)

When: Every 3 years from the last lead safety certificate

In 25 'communities of concern', owners of pre-1980 rental properties with 2+ units must register in Lead Safe NY (or the county system), get a lead hazard inspection with dust-wipe sampling, fix hazards lead-safely, notify tenants, and obtain a Lead Safety Certificate at least every three years.

"You are subject to the following New York State Lead Rental Registry requirements if you own residential rental properties built before 1980 with two or more units in Albany,"
health.ny.gov

"Obtain a Lead Safety Certificate at least every three years."
health.ny.gov

"The New York State Lead Rental Registry Law is in effect in 25 communities of concern as of November 3, 2025."
health.ny.gov

Source: health.ny.gov · Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Full rule details

New York rules on this topic

NYS Lead Rental Registry: register and obtain a Lead Safety Certificate at least every 3 years (25 communities, pre-1980, 2+ units) Verified

Deadline: Every 3 years from the last lead safety certificate

Applies to: 2+ units, buildings built before 1980, only in 25 listed communities · Layer: New York · Topic: Lead paint disclosure and certifications

Who it covers: Owner/immediate-family-occupied units can be exempted from inspection, but other units at the property must comply. Monroe County (Rochester) owners comply through the City's C of O process.

Communities: Albany, Amsterdam, Auburn, Binghamton, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Elmira, Gloversville, Jamestown, Kingston, Middletown, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Rome, Schenectady, Spring Valley, Syracuse, Troy, Utica, Watertown, Yonkers

"You are subject to the following New York State Lead Rental Registry requirements if you own residential rental properties built before 1980 with two or more units in Albany,"
health.ny.gov

"Obtain a Lead Safety Certificate at least every three years."
health.ny.gov

"The New York State Lead Rental Registry Law is in effect in 25 communities of concern as of November 3, 2025."
health.ny.gov

Notes: Public Health Law §1377; regs 10 NYCRR Subpart 67-5 (final April 8, 2026). Local health departments schedule inspections, so the first due date is set locally. NYC is not on the list.

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction

Local rules in New York

These places add their own rules on this topic:

Federal lead disclosure rules that also apply

These apply to housing built before 1978 in every state, on top of the rules above.

Federal rules on this topic (all states)
Rule	Deadline	Confidence
Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet before lease signing (pre-1978 housing)	Before the tenant is obligated under the lease (before signing / before accepting an offer to lease)	high
Signed lead disclosure attachment with lease; keep for 3 years	Keep the signed disclosure for at least 3 years from the lease start; the date shown is the earliest you may discard it	high

Federal lead paint disclosure rules for landlords

Same topic in other places

More: Lead paint disclosure and certifications in every covered place · All New York landlord rules · Build a dated calendar