Washington, DC Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)

In Washington, D.C., owners of dwelling units built before 1978 must disclose to a purchaser or tenant, on the Mayor's lead disclosure form, any known lead-based paint, lead-based paint hazards, and pending District enforcement actions before the person signs a lease or purchase contract. If the unit will be occupied by a child under 6 or a pregnant woman, the owner must instead provide a completed lead disclosure form plus a clearance report issued within the prior 12 months before the tenant is bound to lease. An owner can substitute a certified lead-free determination or three clearance reports spaced 12 months apart over the past 7 years. Owners must also renotify tenants of their rights at every lease signing, renewal, and rent-increase notice, and must tell a tenant within 10 days of learning lead-based paint is present, attaching the federal Lead Warning Statement and EPA hazard pamphlet.