Lead Paint Inspection NYC
A lead paint inspection determines whether lead-based paint is present in a building, and where. In New York City, inspections are performed with an XRF analyzer by an EPA-certified inspector, and for most pre-1960 residential buildings they are legally required under Local Law 31 — not optional.
Manhattan Lead Inspections is an EPA-certified firm performing lead paint inspections across all five boroughs. We test, document, and deliver HPD-ready reports. We do not perform abatement, which is what keeps our reports valid for compliance purposes.
Safe lead paint removal options
Do You Need a Lead Paint Inspection in NYC?
Most people arrive here for one of five reasons. Find yours:
Do You Need a Lead Paint Inspection in NYC?
Local Law 31 of 2020 required XRF testing of all dwelling units and common areas in pre-1960 multiple dwellings — and in 1960–1978 buildings where the owner knows lead paint is present. The deadline was August 9, 2025. If you haven’t tested, you’re currently non-compliant and accruing exposure.
You've received an HPD or DOHMH violation
Violations run on a legal clock. You’ll need documented testing to respond, and in many cases to get the violation dismissed.
An apartment is turning over
NYC turnover requirements (Order 623) apply when a unit changes hands in a covered building.
You're buying or selling a pre-1978 property
Federal law requires lead disclosure on pre-1978 residential sales. Buyers have a right to a 10-day inspection window. An inspection before closing tells you what you’re buying and what it will cost to address.
A child under 6 lives in — or is moving into — the unit
This is the shortest clock in NYC lead law. Where a child under 6 comes to reside in a covered unit, testing must be completed within one year of move-in, not on the general schedule.
Not sure which applies to you? Call us now! We’ll tell you what you need — and if you don’t need an inspection, we’ll tell you that too.
Professional lead paint inspections
Lead Paint Inspection in NYC - We Check, Detect & Test Your Property for Lead Paint
At Manhattan Lead Inspections, we take your safety as our top priority. We conduct detailed lead paint inspections to check for lead-based materials which can pose a hazard to occupants.
Trained and insured beyond state requirements.
Able to coordinate tests according to your schedule.
Communicative, open and honest about inspection findings.
Employ our lead paint inspectors in NYC to make your home or office clean.
Professional lead paint inspections
Inspection vs. Risk Assessment vs. Testing — Which Do You Need?
These three terms get used interchangeably and they shouldn’t be.
| What it answers | When you need it | |
|---|---|---|
| Lead paint inspection | Is lead-based paint present, and on which surfaces? | Local Law 31 compliance, property purchase, general due diligence |
| Risk assessment | Is lead currently a hazard here, and what should be done about it? | Deteriorated paint, open violation, child with elevated blood lead level |
| Lead testing | The methods used — XRF, dust wipe, soil, paint chip | Not a separate service; the techniques used within the above |
For straightforward LL31 compliance, an inspection is what you need. If you have peeling paint you already know about, an open violation, or a child with an elevated blood lead level, a risk assessment is the more useful document.
A note on visual inspections: a walkthrough looking for deteriorating paint is useful as a first look, but it is not compliant with Local Law 31. NYC requires XRF testing by a certified inspector. Home test kits from the hardware store are likewise not accepted. If someone offers you a visual inspection for compliance purposes, they are selling you something that won’t satisfy HPD.
Professional lead paint inspections
What Actually Happens During an Inspection
Scoping call — free
We confirm your building's construction year, unit count, occupancy, and any violation history, then tell you the scope you need.
Scheduling and tenant notice
We coordinate access windows around tenant schedules and provide the notification language you're required to serve. In occupied buildings this is usually the hardest part of the job, and we handle it.
On-site XRF testing
Our EPA-certified inspector scans every required painted surface with a handheld XRF analyzer. The reading is taken through the paint layers — nothing is scraped, drilled, sanded, or removed. No cleanup, no damage, no repainting afterward. Surfaces tested include walls, ceilings, doors and frames, windows, sills and sashes, baseboards and trim, closets, cabinets, built-ins, radiators, stair treads and railings, and — where applicable — common areas and exterior surfaces.
Additional sampling, where warranted
XRF identifies lead-based paint. Where the question is whether lead has become a hazard, we can also collect dust wipe samples (the standard method for assessing lead dust on floors and sills), soil samples, and paint chip samples for laboratory confirmation. These are sent to an accredited lab.
Your report
You receive a written report identifying every surface tested, the reading for each, and which surfaces meet or exceed NYC's 0.5 mg/cm² threshold — formatted for submission to HPD.
Walkthrough and next steps
We go through the findings with you. If remediation is required, we explain the options and can refer you to qualified abatement firms.
Certified lead paint inspectors
Live a Lead-Free Life with our Lead Paint Inspection Service in NYC
Are you living in a property that dates before 1978, and your walls and ceilings might be painted with lead-based paints in your home or office? Our professionals at Manhattan Lead Inspections can determine the risk of lead exposure in your house. We take a profound approach in performing a thorough testing and analysis.
Using XRF technology, we inspect any property for lead paint poisoning, which may include individual dwellings, rental properties, apartment complexes & other commercial buildings.
We follow strict guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure accurate & reliable results. We employ certified technicians who understand the dangers of lead-based paint and how to detect it in your home.
Our Lead Paint Inspection in NYC
Our local inspectors can conduct a thorough analysis by taking samples of lead paint at your property. We employ the latest technologies such as the XRF ray gun to detect lead paint on the walls and other surfaces.
For basic inspections, we will walk through your home or office and look for any signs of chipping paint that may contain lead particles. We also use an XRF testing machine to test suspected areas and provide a detailed report with our findings. Our experts undergo a program with in-field inspections, hands-on technical training & a final exam to become certified.
At Manhattan Lead Inspections, we strive to make your living space safe and lead-free. We take lead paint inspections in NYC seriously and go the extra mile to give customers the best.
Safe lead paint removal options
Why Choose Manhattan Lead for Lead Paint Inspection in NYC?
Manhattan Lead Inspection offers a variety of services for lead paint, including visual inspections, XRF analysis and dust wipe / soil / paint chip sampling. Depending on the age of the property and its current condition, our technicians can select the appropriate testing methods to ensure accurate results.
We also guarantee comprehensive customer service throughout the entire process. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide helpful advice on how to eliminate potential safety risks associated with lead paint contamination.
Our lead based paint inspectors in NYC have developed a specialty in inspecting the property’s interior, exterior, soil pipes and paint jobs. Want to perform lead paint inspection in New York City?
Expert lead paint analysis
Why is Lead Inspection Important?
Previously, lead-based paints were commonly found in homes, apartments, children’s foster homes, public buildings, commercial setups and government structures. The paint earned significant popularity because of its ability to dry up and offer durability. Fast forward to today, we have learned that lead is a highly toxic compound which can cause various health problems.
It can damage your brain, nerves, kidneys, blood, etc. Exposure to high amounts of lead can create serious detrimental outcomes for you and your family. Although the United States banned lead based paint in 1978, the lead is still present in many older structures, homes, and buildings. While a fresh coat or recently applied lead based paint is not usually a potential threat, when it starts deteriorating, it can pose a danger to your health.
Knowledgeable lead paint professionals
FAQ'S
FAQ'S
If you own a pre-1960 multiple dwelling — or a 1960–1978 building where you know lead paint is present — Local Law 31 required XRF testing of all units and common areas by August 9, 2025. Owner-occupied units and certain other cases fall outside the mandate. Call us with your address and we’ll tell you whether you’re covered.
No. The analyzer reads through paint layers without removing anything. No scraping, drilling, or sanding, and no repainting afterward.
No. Hardware-store swab kits are not accepted for NYC compliance. Testing must be performed with an XRF analyzer by a certified inspector.
Not for compliance. A visual walkthrough can identify deteriorating paint, but Local Law 31 requires XRF testing.
No. NYC requires XRF testing performed by a certified inspector. Hardware-store swab kits and visual inspections are not compliant and will not be accepted by HPD.
No. XRF is non-destructive. The analyzer reads through paint layers without removing anything. Nothing is scraped, drilled, or sanded.
An inspection determines whether lead-based paint is present. A risk assessment also evaluates whether it currently presents a hazard and recommends specific controls. Either satisfies LL31 testing; a risk assessment is more useful with deteriorated paint, an open violation, or a child with an elevated blood lead level.
Yes — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.