1. Is this service required?
Yes, Philadelphia mandates that all residences and commercial establishments housed in structures constructed prior to May 1978 be lead-safe or lead-free. To get a rental license, landlords need to have a lead-free or lead-safe dwelling.

2. Can I test my rental property with the testing kits from Home Depot or other local stores? 
No. A PA certified Risk Assessor (for Lead Safe /Lead Free) or Lead Dust Sampling Technician (LDST) must do the lead testing.

3. How long are lead-safe and lead-free certificates valid for? 
Beginning February 1, 2020 all completed certificates are good for four years. Lead free certificates are good forever. 

4. What were the rules on lead certification before the passage of Bill #180936? 
Since 2012, Philadelphia law has required landlords to have properties that were built before March 1978 tested and certified as “lead free” or “lead safe” if there is a child age six or under residing in the property. Student housing and housing owned or subsidized by the Philadelphia Housing Authority or privately owned but currently leased under the Housing Choice Voucher Program were exempted from the law. 

5. What do I do if my rental property fails the test? 
For a lead-safe certificate, the LDST must ensure visual compliance and then take lead dust samples. If the lead dust samples fail this test, the area must be corrected by a certified renovator and then the technician should ensure that all surfaces are intact and re-take dust wipes of those failed areas. 

6. Does the tenant need to sign the certificate? What if the tenant is unable to or refuses to sign the certificate? 
No, the tenant does not need to sign the certificate, however, the landlord must provide a copy of the Lead safe/lead free certificate at the time the lease is signed. 

7. What is to be done if a current existing tenant refuses entry to perform a lead test? What steps do we need to take legally to prove they refused entry? 
If the tenant refuses to let the landlord in to conduct a lead dust wipe test, you must contact the tenant in writing via e-mail or postal mail. A copy of this written notification, along with verification that the tenant received it must be submitted to the Health Department. 

8. What is the city’s position on homes that were demolished and rebuilt under L&I codes. Is this considered new construction? 
Even if the property was re-built and remodeled, it still needs a lead free or lead safe certificate. If the property was completely built after February 1978, it is exempt. 

9. Do the same rules apply if I own a family childcare facility? 
A dust wipe test and certification are still required for family childcare providers. These results must be uploaded onto the Lead Certification Submission Site. 

10. What do I need to provide if I own a multi-unit building? 
If the landlord is renting multiple units as part of one rental license, he or she must obtain a lead safe or lead free certificate for each unit. The dust wipe test results and/or the inspection report must be uploaded onto the Lead Certification Submission Site in order to be verified with the Health Department Lead and Healthy Homes Program.