Lead paint in old houses (apartment, renting, tenant)

[bobjohn]

My understanding is all old houses (pre-70's) have lead paint in them. So unless the house is gut-renovated, lead paint test will return positive.

At the same time When renting apartment, landlords do not give any information about lead paint. What they say is: "we officially state that we do not know about the lead paint in this apartment".

Does it mean, that they just avoid to test the wall. And if a tenant will test the wall himself and give the info to the landlord, it will put landlord into bad position (he we have to tell about it to the next tenant)?

[cjma79]

Originally Posted by bobjohn

My understanding is all old houses (pre-70's) have lead paint in them. So unless the house is gut-renovated, lead paint test will return positive.

At the same time When renting apartment, landlords do not give any information about lead paint. What they say is: "we officially state that we do not know about the lead paint in this apartment".

Does it mean, that they just avoid to test the wall. And if a tenant will test the wall himself and give the info to the landlord, it will put landlord into bad position (he we have to tell about it to the next tenant)?

Ok, first if the building is old, then yes, it has lead paint(also lead pipes) or it could have lead paint...
But you are not going to have any problem with this unless you see paint coming out(flakes). but usually this walls have been painted over and over again, meaning the paint that you touch on the wall are the new paint and not the old one...

[bobjohn]

Originally Posted by cjma79

Ok, first if the building is old, then yes, it has lead paint(also lead pipes) or it could have lead paint...
But you are not going to have any problem with this unless you see paint coming out(flakes). but usually this walls have been painted over and over again, meaning the paint that you touch on the wall are the new paint and not the old one...

thank you. Now how can I find about the lead pipes. Inspector did not tell me anything.

[bmwguydc]

Originally Posted by bobjohn

thank you. Now how can I find about the lead pipes. Inspector did not tell me anything.

The best way to find out about the presence of lead is to have a sample tested by a qualified laboratory. Lead can come from lead pipes, lead solder on copper pipes, and brass fittings.

Here's some information on lead in drinking water from the EPA:
Lead in Your Drinking Water - Fact Sheet - Archive | Lead In Drinking Water Home | Safewater | US EPA