Lead Paint Disclosure

Lead Paint Disclosure

Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2020 · 562 posts · 554 votes

Almost every house you buy today comes with a lead paint disclosure. The box is almost always checked that says the seller has no knowledge of any lead paint. This is because they have never done a lead paint test, and don’t want to because then they must disclose it.

But here is the deal. If the house was built before about 1978 there is almost a 100% chance it has lead paint. Lead paint is not a big deal, unless you disturb it. So for you flippers out there if you don’t handle it properly, the dust you create during demo, and the paint chips from that abandoned house you are flipping have dust. Your workers get exposed to it, and they bring it home to their families on their clothes and shoes.

Just because you don’t test for it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Please protect your selves, your workers, their families, and the future owner/tenants of these properties. Take the time to understand what you are dealing with and at least take basic precautions.

I’m aware this won’t be a popular post, but ignorance is not an excuse anymore.

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  • Mike CumbieBusiness Member
    REALTOR® · Brockport, NY · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    Hi @Account Closed

    I don't think it will be an unpopular post. The form and taking precautions are totally separate though. As far as filling out the government issued form...... There is no knowledge of Lead Based paint. True.

    However as you stated if it is before 1978 the odds are real good it has it.... so why test? Just treat it like it has LBP and go forward. I'm not going to pay (a ton of money once the "oversight" gets done and the liability as well as a scarlet letter on the property) for testing when I'm sure it is there. Make bunny suits, respirators, gloves, goggles part of the process and make sure there is running water for cleaning on site. Generally it's easier (and much cheaper) to rip off old siding for instance (while wearing PPE) and put vinyl on than going through the "official abatement" process of running water over it and hand scrapping slowly over each 2 foot section as not to cause dust. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2020 · 562 posts · 554 votes
    6y

    @Mike Cumbie

    Appreciate the response. In most circumstances I agree that abatement is cost prohibitive, overkill, and frankly not necessary. Testing is also usually not necessary or required.

    Basic PPE does go a long way. Also as you said, there are usually simple work around to avoid abatement.

    Unfortunately most of the crews that I have seen doing residential flips are simply not aware of what they are dealing with and don’t take the basic steps to protect themselves. The goal of my post is to just raise some basic awareness. Hopefully a few people will read this and take steps to improve their work practices.

  • Will BarnardPro Member
    Moderator
    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    6y

    Try doing it yourself without proper abatement procedures by a licensed company here in CA, get caught by AQMD and prepare yourself for hefty fines for lead and or asbestos. The disposal of it is one of the issues, not just the removal (at least here in CA). If you don’t test for it and know the exact levels of the contaminants, you don’t know which format is required for disposal. 

    So speaking from CA, you need to go through the expense of testing to identify tiff what if anything is there and how it will be disposed. Get caught trying to DIY here and the fines can be extreme!

  • Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2020 · 562 posts · 554 votes
    6y

    @Will Barnard

    Agree you definitely need to be aware of the laws in the area you are working. It can be tricky. There can sometimes be a fine line between trying to be smart and save a buck, and breaking the law. Definitely want to stay on the right side of the law. The fines and hassles far outweigh the money you think you are saving. Especially somewhere like CA!

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