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The Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS® (GPAR), founded in 1908, is the most influential professional real estate association in Philadelphia. more
Lead-Based Paint / Mold / Radon Guidelines
Lead Paint Requirements, Do You Know The Law?
When selling, leasing, or renovating a property you must provide the buyer or tenant with the proper lead paint warning booklets, and include the addendums in your sale or lease agreements.
Both the Federal and Philadelphia Lead Paint Law’s are similar. The only difference arises in the language contained in the lead warning statement for a leased property. The federal law, (pg. 14 of EPA Document, section 3) considers the lead warning statement that contains the language referring to purchaser to cover both purchase and lease. On the other hand, the Philadelphia law has a separate statement for lease, which simply changes the word “purchaser” to “lessee”. (Pg. 297 Health Code). It is the same statement but only one word is changed. The federal law is a strict all-inclusive piece of legislation, and more practical for a Realtor and every day person to follow.
The federal law allows any state or municipality to have its own standards, with the caveat that it does not under regulate. Meaning it can be the same regulations or stricter, but not less restrictions. When doing business in Philadelphia you are required by law to use a federal and city form. Fortunately, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not have a state regulation requiring the use of a state form.
If you violate the law there are stiff penalties.
Lead Paint Law Violations:
Federal – Ten-thousand dollar fine ($10,000) and/or up to one year on prison.
Philadelphia– Three-Hundred Dollar fine ($300) and/or imprisonment of no more than ninety (90) days.