Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspections
A Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection ensures continuing and ongoing lead
hazard control in rental units. Most rental units built before 1978 in Rhode Island need a Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection.
You do not need a Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection if:
• It was built after 1978;
• The unit has a Full Lead-Safe or current Conditional Lead Safe Certificate;
• The property is temporary or seasonal housing rented no more than 100 days to the same tenant; or
• The unit is designated for residents age 62 or older.
What is Required to Pass a Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection
All pre-1978 painted surfaces are assumed to
be lead paint and must be intact.
• There is no paint or coating on a damaged or deteriorated component.
• No surface has loose, delaminating, flaking, peeling, chipping, chalking, or blistering paint.
• No paint is otherwise becoming separated from the surface it is coating.
• No paint has been worn away by friction or impact.
• No paint shows evidence of teeth marks or water damage.
• All surfaces must be clean and free of lead dust, paint chips or debris.
• All horizontal surfaces except ceilings (e.g., floors, stairs, windowsills, window wells) must be covered with a smooth, cleanable covering or coating.
• Soil and water test results are not required and will not cause a unit to
fail an inspection.
What to Expect During the Inspection
A lead inspector will enter your property and look at all surfaces of the unit to see if the paint is intact.
• Inspectors need access to every room in the unit, every common area in the building, and outside.
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If they cannot access these areas, the unit will fail the inspection.
Inspectors need to be able to see ceilings, walls, doors, inside closets and cabinets, windows, and windowsills.
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• Inspectors will collect at least three dust wipes for a unit.
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For multi-family units, there should be at least one wipe per unit in each shared common area.
• Inspectors will do a visual inspection of the exterior of the home.
• Inspectors may test the soil and water for lead, but it is not required.
What to Do Before the Inspector Arrives
• All walls need to be fully viewable. This includes the walls of closets and built-in shelving and furniture.
• Renters should empty closets and place the removed items in the center of the room.
• Closets should be clean.