New Jersey’s lead paint legislation can feel overwhelming when you first encounter it. Legal language, municipal requirements, certificate types, inspection timelines — there is a lot to absorb. This guide cuts through all of that and gives you the plain-English version of everything you actually need to know as a North Jersey landlord.
If you own a rental property in New Jersey that was built before 1978, you are required by law to have it inspected for lead paint hazards and obtain a Lead-Safe Certificate. Full stop. This applies to single-family homes, duplexes, apartment buildings, and any other residential rental property built before that year.
Landlords. If you own and rent out a pre-1978 property in New Jersey, this law applies to you. It does not matter if the property is a single apartment or a 50-unit building. It does not matter if you are a professional property manager or a small landlord renting out your grandmother’s old house.
You need to hire a certified lead inspector — someone licensed by the NJDOH and registered as a Lead Evaluation Contractor under the NJ DCA — to come and inspect your property. The inspector will look for signs of deteriorating paint. If no hazards are found, they issue you a Lead-Safe Certificate.
Your certificate is good for three years. But — and this is the part many landlords miss — the certificate resets every time a tenant moves out. So if you get a certificate today and your tenant moves out in six months, you need a new inspection before the next tenant can move in.
Fines of up to $1,000 per week per unit. Potential loss of your rental registration. Legal liability if a tenant is harmed. It is simply not worth the risk.
The cost of a lead inspection is modest compared to the fines you face for non-compliance. At DJP Lead, we offer competitive, transparent pricing for North Jersey landlords. Contact us for a quote based on your specific property.
Contact DJP Lead through DJPLead.com. Tell us about your property and we will get you scheduled quickly. We serve all of North Jersey including Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Union, Somerset, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties. We move fast, we explain everything clearly, and we issue your certificate the same day you pass.
Ready to schedule your lead inspection? Contact DJP Lead today at DJPLead.com. We serve all of North Jersey and can often accommodate same-week scheduling. Licensed under the NJDOH and permitted under the DCA — get your Lead-Safe Certification fast.