Cleveland proposes longer lead-safe certificates for landlords who replace windows and doors

Cleveland City Hall introduced an overhaul of its 2019 lead-safe rental law on Oct. 12, Signal Cleveland reported. City leaders estimate that only about 30% of the city's rentals have a valid lead-safe certificate.

Most rentals built before 1978 must pass a lead-hazard inspection and renew every two years. The proposal stretches that to three years and offers longer terms for upgrades: five years for homes whose windows were replaced after 1980, and 10 years for homes with all windows, exterior doors and painted porch parts replaced or enclosed, for homes built from 1960 to 1978 and for those that pass three times in a row.

Owners who prove through rigorous inspection that a property has no lead paint could be exempt. Lead risk assessors, now licensed only by the state, would also need a city license that Cleveland could revoke for fraud.

Rebecca Maurer, the city's senior adviser for lead accountability, said more than 60% of rentals have never been touched by the system. No Council vote has been scheduled.