Lead Paint in Massachusetts Homes

[Derreck Wells]

I just got my Moderate Risk Deleading License and learned a few things that may have already been shared, but I'll share them again.

There's a database of all MA homes that have been inspected for lead and tells if there are violations and if the violations have been fixed.

http://webapps.ehs.state.ma.us/Leadsafehomes/default.aspx

Just use the drop down and enter your city, then enter the street name. Just the name, not St or Ave. At my instructor's direction, I don't even put a number in, I just scroll through the results. There's 10 results per page (not always in numerical order), look for the little page numbers at the bottom of the chart and check all pages for your house.

If your house isn't in the list, it has never had an inspection. If it's in the list and has violations and no re-inspection listed, there are still violations and you need to hire a Moderate Risk or Class 1 Deleader, depending on the violation. If no violation, any RRP contractor can gut the house, including all lead (my instructor said with a wink and nod) and remodel legally.

This site should be in everyone's due diligence toolbox that buys in Ma.

[Derreck Wells]

Carl,

First, every contractor that works in the state of MA is supposed to be a certified "Lead Safe Renovator" and follow RRP rules. (By law, a copy of the certificate is supposed to be on every job.) Which means basically assume every house built before 78 is full of lead paint and follow the RRP rule, or test for lead and if negative, no rule required. Basically the RRP rule is plastic off work areas and contain and clean the dust to state regulations. It adds about 30% to the job. Even every painter is supposed to be a lead safe renovator as of 2010.

If you're doing the work yourself, you can take an 8 hour "Owner/Agent" course and be able to do "moderate risk" deleading on your own property. But where I'm a contractor I had to take a 8 hour Lead Safe Renovator Supervisor course, then a 4 hour Moderate Risk Deleader Option. The next step is a Class 1 Deleader. The difference is the volume of lead I can remove. A Moderate Risk Deleader is allowed to demo 6 square feet of wall per room. Basically to repair small holes from doorknobs and the like. We can also cover and make safe as much as needed, but to demolish takes a Class 1.

Now here's the big loophole and where that site becomes critical.
If the house has been inspected and violations were found, the work HAS to be done by a Moderate Risk or a Class 1 Deleader (or owner/agent). If the house is on that site and violations haven't been addressed and you gut the house, you'll get nailed for illegal deleading and it will be on that record that there was illegal deleading done in the house. You'd probably have issues getting federal money after that. No HUD or Fannie money.

If the house isn't on that site, then you're free to gut away. A contractor is still supposed to follow RRP rules, but a homeowner can do anything. The thing is, even a contractor can gut the house and it's legal. As long as it hasn't been inspected before, it's legal to do anything. If it's been inspected, a licensed deleader needs to do it adding around 30% to the job cost.