Lead paint on houses built before 1978

Belmont Resident · 06-18-2011, 09:21 AM

Homeowners a law was passed last year making it mandatory that any house built prior to 1978 be tested for lead paint before work can be done.
Failure to have a lead certified contractor performing the work could result in a fine of $35,000 levied on the contractor as well as a stop work order placed on the job.
This law applies to any work that is done to your home including plumbing, electrical, painting, and general contracting that disturbs the paint by cutting into it or scraping it off.
Regardless of weather you know there is or isn’t lead paint if it was built before 1978 it must be tested and the documentation must be in hand to prove this was done.
The funny thing is none of this applies if the actual homeowner performs the work themselves unless it is rental property, then you fall under the same guidelines as being a contractor yourself.
Good luck.

06-18-2011, 09:21 AM	#1
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	Lead paint on houses built before 1978 Homeowners a law was passed last year making it mandatory that any house built prior to 1978 be tested for lead paint before work can be done. Failure to have a lead certified contractor performing the work could result in a fine of $35,000 levied on the contractor as well as a stop work order placed on the job. This law applies to any work that is done to your home including plumbing, electrical, painting, and general contracting that disturbs the paint by cutting into it or scraping it off. Regardless of weather you know there is or isn’t lead paint if it was built before 1978 it must be tested and the documentation must be in hand to prove this was done. The funny thing is none of this applies if the actual homeowner performs the work themselves unless it is rental property, then you fall under the same guidelines as being a contractor yourself. Good luck.