Rhode Island Department of HealthState of Rhode Island
Department of Health
Rhode Island Department of HealthState of Rhode Island
Department of Health
To prevent lead hazards and lead poisoning by ensuring that Rhode Island rental properties are lead-safe.
Property owners and landlords have a responsibility and legal obligation to protect tenants from lead exposure. The Lead Hazard Mitigation Law requires owners of all* rental properties built before 1978 that are not exempt to get a Certificate of Lead Conformance (CLC). Learn more about CLCs and owner requirements.
To get a CLC, the Property Owner or Designee must:
Information about financial resources to help fix lead hazards is included below. The CLC must be renewed every two years.
If the tenant has not changed, property owners can submit an Affidavit of Completion of Visual Inspection application instead. Learn more about the affidavit process in the Information about other lead certificates section below.
Exempt properties include:
*The owner-occupied exemption was removed as of June 19, 2023.
Affidavit of Completion of Visual Inspection: A Certificate of Lead Conformance (CLC) is valid for two years. If the tenancy is two years or more, the Owner or Designated Person may attend a three-hour Lead Awareness Class and then conduct a visual inspection to determine if lead hazard mitigation compliance was maintained. If the property is still in compliance, the Owner or Designated person can complete or submit an Affidavit of Completion of Visual Inspection application.
Within 30 days of the visual inspection, the Affidavit of Completion of Visual Inspection application (Affidavit) must be completed and notarized. The notarized Affidavit is valid for two years or until unit turnover, whichever period is shorter. The Owner must keep the CLC and any Affidavits for a minimum of five years.
The Affidavit can be downloaded in English and Spanish. Please send the Affidavit with copies (not the original) of the following required documents:
Please email the application and documentation to doh.leadprogram@health.ri.gov or mail to Rhode Island Department of Health; Lead Hazard Mitigation Program; 3 Capitol Hill, Room 206; Providence, RI 02908
Presumptive Compliance: Property owners who own ten or more residential rental units on one property may apply for a Certificate of Presumptive Compliance covering all of the units in a multiunit complex. Use the Is My Property Eligible for Presumptive Compliance? (Spanish) document to help you determine if you can apply.
To apply for a Certificate of Presumptive Compliance, at least 5% of the rental units and no less than two units must pass a Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection performed by a licensed Lead Inspector. At least 90% of the inspected units must pass the initial Inspection to receive a Certificate of Presumptive Compliance.
Complete the Presumptive Compliance Application and submit one Certificate of Lead Conformance for each unit that passed inspection as well as proof of corrections if previously cited for Minimum Housing Code Violations.
Certificates of Presumptive Compliance are valid for two years.