Lead paint on rental property homes

[Ben M.]

I am looking for my first rental property and one of my criteria is for the property to be newer than 1980 to avoid the lead paint issue. Is this a good criteria to have or is there an easy way to handle the lead paint situation?

[Mike McCarthy]

Unless your in MA (or maybe CA?) it’s really a non-issue.

You’ll need to sign and have the tenant sign an EPA form that states you don’t know if there is lead (unless you test, you don’t know, even if you’re pretty sure based on the age) and provide a pamphlet about lead in your home.

But as long as there isn’t construction dust or chipping paint, there’s very little risk.