Lead Inspections & TestingBaltimore, MD & Surrounding Areas
Lead paint was banned for use in homes in 1978, but much of Baltimore’s housing was built long before that. Whether you’re a landlord who needs a lead certificate for a rental or a homeowner with young children, we’ll help you find out where lead is and what to do about it.
Lead certificates for Maryland rentals
If you rent out a home built before 1978, Maryland law requires you to register it with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and have it inspected by an MDE-accredited lead paint inspector at every change in tenancy. Baltimore City and Baltimore County also ask for your lead certificate number when you apply for or renew a rental license.
Full Risk Reduction
Required at every change in occupancy for pre-1978 rentals. The home must be free of chipping or peeling paint inside and out and pass lead dust testing.
Lead-Free & Limited Lead-Free
If testing shows the property is free of lead paint, it can be certified lead-free, which exempts it from annual MDE registration fees and future risk reduction inspections.
Modified Risk Reduction
Required after a tenant reports chipping or peeling paint, or after a child living in the home has an elevated blood lead level.
What we check
- Interior painted surfaces
- Exterior painted surfaces
- Windows, sills and frames
- Doors, trim and stairs
- Lead dust on floors and window sills
- Chipping, peeling or flaking paint
Common questions
If the property is in Maryland, was built before 1978 and is rented out, yes. It needs to be registered with MDE and have a current lead certificate for each tenancy, unless it has been certified lead-free.
You’ll get a clear list of what needs to be fixed, such as peeling paint or high dust levels. Once the work is done, the unit can be re-inspected for its certificate.
If your home was built before 1978 and you have young children, are pregnant or are planning renovations, testing is a smart way to find lead hazards before they become a health problem.
Yes. Lead can also come from older pipes and solder. See our Water Quality Testing page.
Need a lead certificate for your rental?
Certified inspectors serving Baltimore City, Baltimore County and surrounding areas.