Lead, a toxic metal, poses severe health risks, particularly to young children. Inhaling the lead dust or lead particles from nearby crumbling walls, windows & ceilings can often pose serious health problems for your children. If such dangers are identified early on, you can make sure that your home becomes lead-free and safe for them.

Getting a lead-safe certificate is not only a legal obligation in NYC jurisdiction, but it is also the first step towards giving a healthy life to your family & children. In this article, we will explore the significance of lead certification and delve into the question: How long is the lead safe certificate good for?

Understanding the validity of this certification is essential for homeowners and landlords who aim to maintain a lead-safe environment for their loved ones and tenants.

How Long Does a Lead Certification Lasts for NYC Homes? 

A lead certification for NYC homes typically lasts for one year if there’s a child of 6 years or above living within the residential unit. However, it is advised that an XRF lead paint inspection must take place every 5 years of the effective date of the law (by August 9th, 2025) regardless if there are children in your homes or not.

What Does It Mean to Be Lead Certified? 

In New York City, being “lead certified” in the context of a home refers to the certification status of a house regarding lead-based paint or lead hazards. It indicates that the property has undergone the necessary inspections and measures to address lead-related issues and comply with local lead laws and regulations.

To obtain lead certification for a home in NYC, the property must meet certain requirements specified by the city’s lead laws. These laws primarily focus on buildings constructed before 1960 where children under the age of six reside.

Lead certification for a home in NYC involves the following steps:

Lead Testing and Inspection: Landlords are responsible for conducting lead inspections in homes to identify the amount of lead-based paint present within the property. The inspection process usually involves taking lead samples from different parts of a home such as doors, windows, walls & ceiling. These samples are then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Lead-Free Status or Lead Hazard Reduction: Based on the inspection results, the property will be certified as either “lead-free” if no lead-based paint hazards are found or as having undergone “lead hazard reduction” if lead hazards were identified and properly addressed. Lead hazard reduction involves implementing appropriate remediation measures to mitigate or eliminate lead hazards.

Compliance with Regulations: To obtain lead certification, landlords must adhere to specific requirements regarding inspections, remediation timelines, documentation, tenant notification, and other related obligations set forth by the New York City lead laws.

It is important to note that lead certification for a home in NYC is typically valid for one year, and landlords must renew the certification annually by fulfilling the necessary inspection and remediation requirements.

How Long Will the Lead Certification Last? 

Normally, a lead based paint inspection certificate may last for an year or even more depending on how thoroughly you performed the lead paint inspection & took care of its remediation.

As per the lead laws in NYC, landlords are required to obtain a lead certificate for buildings constructed before 1960 where children under the age of six are living. This certificate verifies that the building is either lead-free or has undergone lead hazard reduction measures to address any identified lead hazards.

Landlords must renew the lead certificate annually by conducting the necessary inspections and remediation, if required, to ensure compliance with the city’s lead laws. The purpose of conducting a lead test and obtaining a certificate is to ensure there aren’t any ongoing lead poisoning related problems for residents, particularly young children who can be endangered.

What is the Lead Law in NYC? 

New York City has implemented several regulations to address lead poisoning prevention, especially concerning children. One notable law is Local Law 1 of 2004, also known as the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. This law sets specific requirements for lead testing and remediation in multiple dwellings built before 1960 where children under the age of six reside.

Under the New York City law, landlords are responsible for conducting annual inspections to identify lead-based paint hazards and verify lead-free status. If lead hazards are found, the landlords are required to correct them within specific time frames. Local Law 1 also mandates that landlords distribute lead poisoning prevention information to tenants and obtain written acknowledgments.

Furthermore, Local Law 31 of 2020 introduced additional amendments to the existing lead laws in New York City. This amendment lowered the lead action level from 5 micrograms per square foot to 1 microgram per square foot, intensifying the requirements for lead hazard control and remediation.

On December 1, 2021 the definition of lead-based paint changed from paint having lead content measuring up to 1 mg/cm2 or greater to a lead content measurement of 0.5 mg/cm2 performed by an XRF instrument with an approved PCS. This was in compliance with the Local Law 66 of 2019.

Also Read: A Brief History of Lead Paint Poisoning

How Do You Test for Lead in NYC? 

Lead testing is often performed by a state-certified lead inspection team from a recognized lead inspection firm such as Manhattan Lead. We use the latest XRF technology to identify the amount of lead present in your home by taking lead chip samples and sending it to one of our laboratories for analysis.

Based on how much lead is present in your home, we then recommend you for a lead remediation process. Is your home old and you’re not sure whether it’s lead-free or not?

Dial (212) 226-1614 and let Manhattan Lead test your property for lead poisoning.