Quick answerIn homes built before 1978, landlords must disclose known lead paint hazards and give you the EPA lead pamphlet before you sign a lease, and renovations must follow lead-safe rules. Report peeling paint, leaks, mold, pests, and missing smoke or carbon monoxide alarms to your landlord in writing, then to local code enforcement or the health department if not fixed. Children under 6 should be tested for lead, especially in older housing.
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Lead paint (homes built before 1978)

Why it matters: lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978. Deteriorating paint and dust can poison children, causing lasting learning and behavior problems. Pregnant people are also at risk.

Your rights (federal):

  • Before you sign a lease for most pre-1978 housing, the landlord must give you the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home, disclose known lead paint and hazards, provide available records, and include a lead warning statement in the lease.
  • Contractors disturbing paint in pre-1978 homes must be EPA lead-safe certified under the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule.
  • HUD-assisted housing has additional rules: visual assessments, paint stabilization, clearance testing, and fast response when a child has an elevated blood lead level.

What to do:

  • Report peeling, chipping, or chalking paint in writing.
  • Keep children away from deteriorated paint and window sills; wet-clean dust.
  • Ask your child’s doctor about a blood lead test, especially at ages 1 and 2.
  • Contact your local health department’s lead program.

Mold and moisture

Mold grows where there’s moisture: leaks, condensation, flooding, or poor ventilation.

  • Report leaks and water damage promptly in writing.
  • Small areas (less than about 10 square feet) on hard surfaces can often be cleaned with detergent and water once the moisture source is fixed.
  • Larger areas or mold from sewage or contaminated water need professional cleanup.
  • Fix the source: cleaning mold without fixing the leak doesn’t solve the problem.
  • Many cities treat mold and dampness as code violations; call code enforcement or the health department.

Pests

Roaches, rodents, and bedbugs can trigger asthma and spread contamination. Report infestations in writing, cooperate with treatment preparation, and ask your city about landlord responsibilities. In multifamily buildings, treatment often must cover adjacent units to work.

Carbon monoxide and smoke alarms

Most states require smoke alarms, and many require carbon monoxide alarms in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. Test alarms monthly. Report missing or broken alarms immediately. If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone out and call 911.

Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that can build up in homes and is a leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. A few states require radon disclosure or testing in rentals. Low-cost test kits are available through many state radon programs.

Asbestos

Common in older insulation, flooring, and ceilings. It’s mainly dangerous when disturbed. Don’t sand or cut suspect materials; ask the landlord to use licensed professionals for removal.

Getting hazards fixed

  1. Notify the landlord in writing with photos.
  2. Call code enforcement or the health department if not fixed.
  3. For subsidized housing, request an inspection from the housing agency or contact the property manager and HUD.
  4. Get medical documentation if health is affected.
  5. Contact legal aid about remedies and retaliation protections.

See repairs and habitability.

Frequently asked questions

Does my landlord have to test for lead?

Federal law requires disclosure of known lead hazards and records, not testing, for most private rentals. HUD-assisted housing has stronger requirements, including visual assessments and paint repair. Many cities and states require lead inspections or certificates for older rentals.

Is mold a code violation?

There’s no federal mold standard for private rentals, but many states and cities treat mold resulting from leaks or moisture as a habitability or code issue. The underlying water problem is usually the landlord’s responsibility.

Who pays for pest control?

It depends on state and local law and the cause. Landlords are often responsible for infestations not caused by the tenant, and many cities require landlords to treat bedbugs and building-wide pests.

What blood lead level is concerning?

CDC uses a blood lead reference value of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with higher levels than most. There’s no known safe level of lead. Ask your child’s doctor about testing.

Sources and verification

Use these sources to check program rules. Funding, openings, and local procedures must be confirmed with the agency handling your application.

Update note (2026-10-01): Replaced a missing source link with an official program page or governing regulation. This was a source-link update, not a complete review of every claim.

  1. Real Estate Disclosures about Potential Lead HazardsU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  2. Protect Your Family From Lead in Your HomeU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  3. Mold and your homeU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  4. Childhood lead poisoning preventionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
  5. Healthy Homes programU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Found a changed rule or a broken link? Report a correction for this guide.

Published by Housing Assistance Info

Independent guidance based on the sources listed above. Read our sourcing, automated-tool, and correction policies.