Complete Guide to Lead Paint Disclosure Requirements by State

Federal law is the baseline, but many states have stricter rules. Learn about MA, MD, NY, and others.

Federal law (Title X) establishes the baseline for lead paint disclosure in the United States. Under Section 1018, landlords of pre-1978 housing must disclose known hazards, provide records, and hand out the EPA "Protect Your Family" pamphlet before a lease is signed.

However, many landlords are caught off guard by stricter state-level laws.

Massachusetts: Strict Liability

Massachusetts has arguably the toughest lead laws in the country. The "Lead Law" requires owners of rental units built before 1978 to remove or cover lead hazards if a child under six resides there.

• Strict Liability: Owners are liable for a poisoned child even if they didn't know lead was present.
• De-leading: You cannot simply evict or refuse to rent to families with children (that's discrimination). You must de-lead the unit.

Maryland: Mandatory Registration

Maryland requires all rental properties built before 1978 to be:

1. Registered with the MDE (Maryland Department of the Environment).
2. Certified Lead-Free or Lead-Safe by an accredited inspector before every change of occupancy (Form 330).

New York City: Local Law 1

NYC places the burden on landlords to identify and fix hazards annually.

• You must inquire if a child under 6 lives in the unit.
• You must conduct visual inspections annually.
• You must use safe work practices for any repairs.

The Bottom Line

If you operate in these states, a simple disclosure form is not enough—you likely need an inspection certificate. For the other 40+ states, the federal disclosure generated by our platform is your primary shield against liability.