New York Lead Paint Laws for Landlords

If you own rental property in the Syracuse area, lead paint rules can feel like a maze of federal, state, county, and city requirements. This guide breaks down the main ones in plain language and links you to the authoritative sources so you can verify the details for your property. It is general information, not legal advice, and the obligations rest with you as the owner. When you are ready to act, we can connect you with a contractor who helps landlords meet lead-safe rental requirements.

Why this matters in Syracuse

Syracuse and Onondaga County have some of the oldest housing in the country, and age is the biggest predictor of lead paint. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and homes built before 1950 are the most likely to contain it and at higher levels. A large share of local rental stock predates both dates, which is why lead is a recurring issue for area landlords.

Federal rules every landlord should know

1. The Lead Disclosure Rule (Section 1018)

Before a tenant is obligated under a lease for most housing built before 1978, the federal Lead Disclosure Rule requires the landlord to disclose any known lead-based paint and hazards, provide available records and reports, give the tenant the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home, and include a lead warning statement in the lease. The rule is enforced by the EPA and HUD. Read the specifics on the EPA Lead Disclosure Rule page.

2. The Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule

If you renovate, repair, or repaint a pre-1978 rental and the work disturbs more than six square feet of interior painted surface in a room, or more than twenty square feet of exterior painted surface, the work must be done by an EPA-certified firm using lead-safe work practices. Window replacement and demolition of painted surfaces are covered regardless of size. See the EPA RRP Rule for contractors, and learn more on our lead-safe renovation page.

3. The HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule

If your property receives certain federal assistance, including units rented to Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) tenants, it can be subject to the HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule (24 CFR Part 35), which sets requirements for evaluating and addressing lead-based paint in pre-1978 assisted housing. See the HUD lead program.

New York State rules

New York focuses heavily on children's health. Health care providers are directed to test children for lead at about age one and again at age two, and the state acts when a child is found to have an elevated level.

• Blood lead action level. New York acts on a confirmed blood lead level at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter in young children. (For context, the CDC blood lead reference value, a screening tool, is currently 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Neither number is a "safe" level.)
• The main statewide trigger is reactive. When a young child has a confirmed elevated blood lead level, the state and local health department can inspect the dwelling and require the owner to correct identified lead hazards.
• High-risk communities. Under New York Public Health Law, the Department of Health identifies communities with higher rates of childhood lead exposure and targets prevention and inspection efforts there.

Learn more from the New York State Department of Health lead program and the statute at Public Health Law Section 1370-a.

City of Syracuse rules

The City of Syracuse goes further than the state with a proactive rental inspection program. A Rental Registry Certificate is required for one- and two-unit rental properties in the city, and a lead check, including a visual assessment and dust-wipe sampling, is part of the city rental inspection process administered by the Lead Hazard Control Office.

• Registration and periodic inspection apply to covered rentals.
• Deteriorated lead paint that would once not have been a code issue can now be cited.
• Specific registry timelines, fees, and penalties change over time, so confirm the current details directly with the City.

See the City of Syracuse Lead Hazard Control Office and the Rental Registry Certificate page for the latest requirements.

Onondaga County resources

The Onondaga County Health Department lead program coordinates blood lead testing, education, and environmental investigations when a child has an elevated blood lead level. It is a useful first call for both families and property owners.

A practical checklist for Syracuse-area landlords

• Know your building's age. If it predates 1978, assume lead-based paint may be present until tested.
• Use the federal disclosure forms and the EPA pamphlet for every pre-1978 lease.
• Keep deteriorated paint repaired, and use EPA-certified firms for covered renovation work.
• If you rent in the City of Syracuse, confirm your Rental Registry status and lead inspection requirements with the City.
• If a tenant's child is found to have an elevated blood lead level, cooperate promptly with the health department.
• Consider a proactive inspection, test, or risk assessment to understand your property before a problem arises.

When you want professional help, we can connect you with a licensed contractor who works with landlords, or start with a lead paint inspection.