Charlotte Realtor Update - Lead Paint Laws for Home Sellers & Buyers!

Lead paint in homes and the resulting environmental and personal health hazards have been in the news for home buyers and sellers. In the Charlotte area, we have many homes built PRIOR to 1978. These are the homes that benefit from lead paint inspections before being listed for selling or being purchased by a new homeowner.

Why would a seller have their home inspected for lead paint?

If their home was built prior to 1978, it is recommended that the seller have a professional lead paint inspection.  Home buyers will want to know if the house contains lead paint.  Pre-1978 homes trend toward larger remodeling and renovation projects when they are sold.  These projects can generate lead dust and soil contamination that are dangerous for children and other occupants.  Lead paint disclosure is now more important than ever!

The New EPA Renovate, Remodel & Paint (RRP) Rule of 2010 

The EPA issued a rule meant to reduce the generation of lead dust and lead soil hazards during home construction projects conducted by contractors.  Since April 22, 2010, the EPA has required all contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting projects in homes built before 1978 to determine if they will be disturbing any lead-based paint.  If lead paint is present, the contractor must be certified and follow specific lead safe work practices to prevent lead contamination of the home environment.

Why would a home buyer want to know if a house has lead paint? 

Home buyers should ask about the presence of lead paint in any pre-1978 home that they are considering buying.  If renovation, remodeling, and painting would disturb lead paint, they would need to hire a contractor trained and certified to follow lead-safe practices.  Even if buyers are not planning to do any remodeling, they should still be concerned about the presence of lead paint in their house.  Children can ingest lead from paint chips and normal household dust, causing damage to their brains and nervous systems.  Knowing where lead paint is located can allow the homeowner to protect their family by stabilizing it.

This update was sent to you to help you understand more about possible lead paint contamination in Charlotte properties that you might either help sell or help somebody buy.

If you would like to learn more about lead paint inspections or the EPA rulings on lead paint in remodeling, please contact Pete Hubicki at Get The Lead Out.  We are available to provide “Question & Answer” or educational seminars for small or large groups on the issues of lead paint, lead paint dangers, lead paint in remodeling, and lead paint health concerns for small children.

Contact:  Pete Hubicki, Principal Scientist, Get The Lead Out, 704-376-3594 or peteh@gettheheadout.biz.  Thank you for helping to educate home buyers and sellers about the safety and dangers of lead paint!

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