Lead Safe Requirements for Property Owners
Lead Safe Toledo requires residential rental properties (1-4 units) built before 1978 to meet lead-safe standards and obtain a Lead-Safe Certificate. Property owners are responsible for keeping their rental units compliant.
Any unit built before 1978 is presumed to have lead paint present. A Lead Safe Certificate is required for:
- single-family rental homes
- duplexes
- buildings up to four units
- family child care homes in residential properties
To comply with Lead Safe requirements, property owners will need to:
- register rental properties with Lucas County Auditor's rental registry
- hire a local lead inspector to complete a clearance inspection
- prepare the property for inspection
- correct any identified lead hazards
- apply for a Lead-Safe Certificate and pay fee
- maintain ongoing compliance
Non-Complaint property owners may be referred to housing court.
Hiring a Lead Inspector
Property owners must hire a State of Ohio licensed Lead Inspector, Risk Assessor, or Clearance Technician who is registered with the City of Toledo and State of Ohio.
See the list of registered lead professionals [link]
Questions to ask your lead inspector:
- Are you licensed and registered with the City of Toledo?
- What is the cost of the inspection and follow up testing?
- How long will the results take?
- Who submits the inspection report to the City?
- What should I do if the property does not pass the clearance inspection?
- What should I do to prepare the property for the inspection?
Note: Inspection results depend on property conditions and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
What to expect during the inspection:
- visual inspection for peeling, chipping, and/or deteriorating paint
- identification of dust, paint chips, or soil hazards
- dust wipe sampling from multiple rooms
- a written inspection report
Notifying Tenants
Before renting a unit built before 1978, landlords must provide tenants with:
- EPA lead hazard information pamphlet
- known information about lead hazards in the property
- reqired lead disclosure language in the lease
- copy of the Lead-Safe Certificate
Grants and Financial Assistance
The City offers programs that may help eligible property owners reduce the cost of lead hazard remediation.
Assistance may include:
- matching grants
- reimbursement programs
- lead hazard control funding
- technical assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I purchased a property that is not certified?
The property must be certified before a new tenant moves in or it is operated as a family child care home.
What if my property is owned by an LLC, trust, or business?
You must still comply with Lead Safe Toledo requirements. Applications must identify a responsible individual who can act on behalf of the entity.
What if I already completed lead-safe work or received a certificate under a previous ordinance?
Existing certificates remain valid until their expiration date.
If my property fails the first inspection, when does my certificate begin?
The certificate begins on the date of the passing clearance inspection.
What about land contracts or lease-purchase agreements?
Properties sold on a recorded land contract are generally not considered rentals and are not subject to the ordinance.
Properties leased with an option to purchase are considered rentals and must comly with the ordinance.
If my property is Section-8, am I still required to have a Lead Safe Certificate?
Yes. All residential rental properties (1-4 units) built before 1978 must meet lead-safe standards and obtain a Lead-Safe Certificate.