Stained glass in rentals- Can it stay? Or have to go?

[Mary J.]

Got another question for you seasoned investors and I think I already know the answer but hoping I’m wrong. I’ve never bought a building that had stained glass windows and I recently picked one up that has some. Each apartment has one in each, and one in the main hallway. They’re beautiful! BUT, being a rental, wouldn’t I have to take these out to pass for a lead safe cert? Or will they allow them to stay? They’re fixed windows and don’t open.

[Patti Robertson]

No.  Lead disclosure is for paint, not the lead you find in an antique stained glass window.  Solid lead as in a metal is not at risk of peeling and thus being injected.  Personally I would leave them.  In historic homes, people love original features.