6 Steps to Lead Safe Certification
Are you a visual learner?
Follow the decision tree below to learn how to get your Lead Safe Certification.
Step 1: Contact the Resource Center
We’re here to help. The Lead Safe Resource Center wants to help protect you, your family, and your tenant’s families from the permanent harms of lead poisoning. If you have questions now, or at any point before getting your Lead Safe Certification, give us a call. Call us at 833.601.5323, or email us at lsrc@ehw.org. We’re standing by to help you get certified.
Step 2: Check your Property
Lead based paint, the most common source of lead exposure to children in Cleveland, was banned in 1978. However, over 90% of rental units in the City of Cleveland were built before 1978. So, it’s very likely that your rental unit has lead in it. Potential lead hazards include any area with deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged, or damp), especially those places that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear, such as: windows & window sills, doors & door frames, stairs, railings, banisters, and porches.
If your property has any evidence of hazards, you must remediate lead hazards prior to scheduling a lead safe clearance examination, and getting a Lead Safe Certification.
If your property’s paint is in good shape without deterioration, and you make the determination that your rental unit does not need remediation work, you may skip forward to Step 4 - Clean your Property.
Step 3: Remediate Lead Hazards
You’re ready to begin the work of making your property lead safe!
A: Apply for a Loan or Grant here
Eligible property owners can apply for loans, grants, and incentives.
B: Be responsible for your own work
C: Contract with a Vetted Lead Safe Worker
RRP Certified Vetted Contractor List
Certified Vetted Clearance Technician List
What is Clearance?
What is Remediation?
How much will this cost?
Remediation: The cost of remediation will depend on the state of the rental units, but on average, may cost between $500-$5,000.
Cleaning: $250-$500
Clearance Examination: $250-$400
Disclaimer: Please note that the costs above may not be reflected by some contractors, or changes in market prices for remediation work.
How long will this take?
On average, it can take between 1 to 3 days, depending on the state of property.
Does every unit have to be remediated?
Every unit must be remediated, but if you have more than 20 units, the clearance examiner will randomly check a portion of units.
What happens to my tenants?
The vast majority of remediation can be done without displacing your tenants. If you need displacement support, please call 211.
How long do I have to complete this?
Property owners will be required to get Lead Safe Certification based on a Quarterly Roll Out Schedule. Use the zip code of your property to find out when you must have your Certification.
Step 4: Clean your Property
Cleaning your property before scheduling a lead clearance examination greatly improves your chance of passing your clearance. The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition strongly encourages you to clean your property before scheduling your clearance examination. You can find a list of vetted Lead Safe Workers to help get you started.
Step 5: Get Lead Clearance
Now that you’ve remediated and or cleaned your property, you’re ready to schedule a Lead Clearance Examination. You can use our list here to find a Clearance Examiner. You’re almost there!
Please note that your Clearance Examiner cannot be related to or the same as the RRP Licensed contractor that remediated your property in Step 3. Property owners cannot conduct a clearance examination on their own properties.
Step 6: Apply for Lead Safe Certification
You’re ready to submit your lead clearance report or lead risk assessment and apply for Lead Safe Certification! The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition thanks you for taking this vital step to protecting our children from lead poisoning. Use this application to apply for your Lead Safe Certification. Please follow the instructions on the application and submit your application form and the associated inspection report via email to: LeadCertCLE@city.cleveland.oh.us or via postal mail to: City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing Division of Records Administration; 601 Lakeside Avenue E., Rm 517; Cleveland, Ohio 44114. Must be postmarked within 30 days of the date of inspection.