changing requirements from prospective tenants

[Daniel Miller]

Well, I just got a message from them that they want me to get the house tested for lead and asbestos, and they need those tests before they will give a deposit. Is this reasonable?? They *do* have a 10-month-old boy, but this just seems "out of the blue". I haven't seen any discussions here about lead or asbestos testing; have I just missed them?

[Rob K.]

Originally posted by Daniel Miller:

Well, I just got a message from them that they want me to get the house tested for lead and asbestos, and they need those tests before they will give a deposit. Is this reasonable?? They *do* have a 10-month-old boy, but this just seems "out of the blue". I haven't seen any discussions here about lead or asbestos testing; have I just missed them?

I would move on to someone else. That is an odd request. They are trying to establish themselves as the boss.

As far as asbestos goes, it's only harmful if you're removing it, or it's flaky and getting in the air. I don't know what kind of house this is, but asbestos is not that common. Usually you see it on the pipes of old boilers, on old floor tiles in the basement, or on siding.

As far as lead, same thing. It's only harmful if you're removing it or it's flaking. Any house built before 1978 can have lead paint. It's probably under 15 layers of paint. The older the house is, the more likely to have lead. You will fill out a lead paint form for your tenants stating if and where the lead is, or that you have no knowledge of lead.

If you were to give in to their lead test demand and you find lead paint, so what? Most old houses have it somewhere, but now you would have to disclose the presence of lead paint FOREVER. This will scare a lot of people down the road. You're way better off not knowing about it. It's a lot easier to tell a tenant or buyer, "I don't know about any lead paint here. Just don't eat any paint chips if you see them." As opposed to, "Here is the lead paint report. There is lead everywhere in this house. You should read this EPA lead paint book from cover to cover as this house is loaded with lead."