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Last verified: · Confidence: high
What lead paint disclosure does federal law require from landlords?
This federal rule applies in every state to most housing built before 1978. Some states and cities add their own lead registrations, inspections or certificates; those places are listed below.
Short answer
Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet before lease signing (pre-1978 housing)
When: Before the tenant is obligated under the lease (before signing / before accepting an offer to lease)
Before a tenant is bound by a lease for pre-1978 housing, the landlord must give the EPA pamphlet 'Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home', disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards, and hand over any available lead records or reports.
"The following activities shall be completed before the purchaser or lessee is obligated under any contract to purchase or lease target housing that is not otherwise an exempt transaction pursuant to § 745.101." ecfr.gov
"The seller or lessor shall provide the purchaser or lessee with an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet." ecfr.gov
"Target housing means any housing constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities or any 0-bedroom dwelling (unless any child who is less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in such housing)." ecfr.gov
Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet before lease signing (pre-1978 housing) Verified
Deadline: Before the tenant is obligated under the lease (before signing / before accepting an offer to lease)
Before a tenant is bound by a lease for pre-1978 housing, the landlord must give the EPA pamphlet 'Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home', disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards, and hand over any available lead records or reports.
Who it covers: Target housing = built before 1978, except housing for the elderly/disabled or 0-bedroom units (unless a child under 6 lives or is expected to live there). Exempt: units certified lead-based-paint free, short-term leases of 100 days or less with no renewal possible, and renewals where everything was already disclosed and nothing new is known.
"The following activities shall be completed before the purchaser or lessee is obligated under any contract to purchase or lease target housing that is not otherwise an exempt transaction pursuant to § 745.101." ecfr.gov
"The seller or lessor shall provide the purchaser or lessee with an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet." ecfr.gov
"Target housing means any housing constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities or any 0-bedroom dwelling (unless any child who is less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in such housing)." ecfr.gov
"Short-term leases of 100 days or less, where no lease renewal or extension can occur." ecfr.gov
Notes: 40 CFR 745 subpart F (EPA) is codified identically by HUD at 24 CFR 35 subpart A; only the EPA text was snapshotted. Snapshot fetched from the eCFR renderer API endpoint for the same section.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Signed lead disclosure attachment with lease; keep for 3 years Verified
Deadline: Keep the signed disclosure for at least 3 years from the lease start; the date shown is the earliest you may discard it
Each lease for pre-1978 target housing must include a Lead Warning Statement and disclosure attachment signed by the parties. The landlord must keep a copy for at least 3 years from the start of the lease.
Who it covers: Same target-housing scope and exemptions as the disclosure rule.
"The lessor, and any agent, shall retain a copy of the completed attachment or lease contract containing the information required under paragraph (b) of this section for no less than 3 years from the commencement of the leasing period." ecfr.gov
Notes: The deadline shown is the earliest date the record may be discarded (36 months after lease start), not a filing date.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
States and cities with their own lead rules
These places add rules on top of the federal disclosure: