Lead Safe Certification in Cleveland OHIO

[Ryan Brouwer]

If you are looking for some information about the process of getting your properties lead certified in Cleveland, here is some info from my recent experience this past month.

I just recently went through the process of getting two recently purchased properties tested so we can get the Lead Safe Certification, which is a requirement for landlords in Cleveland, OH.  There are a number of contractors that can do the testing for you and prices seem to range anywhere from $300/unit to $900/unit.  Here is the website for more information about certification and a list of vetted contractors:

https://leadsafecle.org/lead-s...

After reaching out to a few different companies, I found one that was a game changer.  Zach Burkons at PB Free Ohio (https://pbfreeohio.com) not only responded within 30 minutes of me sending an email, but he was super fast at going to take a look at my properties and schedule testing within a week.  Many of the other contractors were unavailable to even come take a look at the properties for at least 3 weeks.  Zach also helped educate me about the process and gave me some information that other contractors did not.  PB Free Ohio is not the cheapest contractor, but you get what you pay for and I would recommend him to anyone who is going to go through this process.

There are 2 year certifications and 20 year certifications.  The 2 year certifications require dust swab samples from multiple areas (windows, window sills, floors) of each room (not basements) and the exterior must also pass visual inspection.  The 20 year certification requires each of your properties to pass the 2 year dust swab tests AND pass a lead x-ray gun test.  The cost for the 20 year test was more expensive than just the 2 year test, but if you figure that passing this and not having to re-test every 2 years, you are saving a TON of money.  For PB Free Ohio, Zach sends over a tech that does a cleaning of the areas to be dust swabbed first, and then another tech comes by to do the dust swab tests.  Zach also personally came to the properties to do the x-ray gun lead tests.  

Additionally, Zach gave me information to get landlord incentive reimbursement from the city for the cost of the lead testing!!  At the time I did it, there was potential incentives of up to $750/unit for the 2 year and $1000/unit for the 20 year.  The city apparently has a bunch of money allocated to assisting property owners with lead remediation and testing, so take advantage while you can!  

https://leadsafecle.org/

Another thing to note is that the city is making it difficult to evict tenants if you do not have the lead certification on your properties, so if you want to avoid potential major headaches in the future, you should go through this process.  Also, making sure that your properties are safe for your tenants, especially children, so you should go through this process.  Do the right thing.  

If you have not purchased any properties in Cleveland yet and are looking to buy, I HIGHLY suggest that you do some research on this lead certification process and look closely at potential properties to see if they will need remediation or not.  The cost of remediation can be VERY expensive, so you may want to avoid having to go through this if you are looking for a more turn key investment.  Things to look out for are old windows, old wood siding, peeling paint on exteriors and interiors, and damage to window sills, door frames, and walls.  

Good luck out there!