The short answer
Philadelphia’s Rental Property Lead Certification Law requires landlords of rental properties built before 1978 to have the property certified lead-safe or lead-free, give the tenant a copy, and file the certificate with the City.
Why 1978? That’s the year lead-based paint was banned for homes. Anything older may have lead paint under newer layers, and that paint turns into dust as windows rub and surfaces wear.
Not sure when your building went up? Check the property record on the City’s property website or your deed. If it’s before 1978, plan on testing. The City assumes a rental is older than March 1978 unless you can prove otherwise, and a later renovation doesn’t change that. There are only two exemptions: buildings built after February 1978 (with proof of the date), and housing reserved for a school’s students. (City FAQ, PDF)
When you need it
You need a valid certificate in three situations:
- Getting or renewing your rental license.
- Signing a new lease.
- Renewing a lease, including automatic renewals, unless the tenant already has a certificate that’s still valid.
Each unit in a multi-unit building needs its own certificate. Give the tenant a copy, have them sign the acknowledgment, and file a copy with the Health Department. It doesn’t matter whether children live in the unit: since April 1, 2022 the law applies to every pre-1978 rental in the city. (the law as amended in 2019, PDF)
Can you self-certify like landlords used to? No. The test has to be done by a certified professional, and the samples analyzed by an accredited lab. We’re EPA Certified Firm NAT-F243427-1, and our samples go to Accurate Analytical Testing LLC.
Lead-safe vs lead-free
Both satisfy the law. They prove different things and are done different ways.
| Lead-safe | Lead-free | |
|---|---|---|
| What it proves | No lead dust hazard right now | No lead-based paint in the property |
| How it’s tested | Visual check + dust wipes sent to a lab | Full lead paint inspection, usually with an XRF analyzer |
| How long it lasts | 4 years in Philadelphia | Never expires |
| Who we send you to | That’s us | Our partner Viva EHS |
Most landlords choose lead-safe: it’s faster and costs less. Lead-free makes sense when you want to stop re-testing, for example when a building has been fully abated. See XRF, lead-free and risk assessments for the difference in detail.
What the lead-safe test involves
- Visual check for deteriorated paint.
- Dust wipes from one windowsill and one floor in each bedroom, plus one common room, and a blank control sample.
- Lab analysis against the 2026 limits: floors 5, windowsills 40, troughs 100 µg/ft².
- Certificate if everything passes, plus the lab report and portal instructions.
How long a certificate lasts
A Philadelphia lead-safe certificate is valid for four years. We keep track and text you before it expires, so you can book the re-test before it lapses.
Seen “24 months” somewhere? That’s the old rule. Lead-safe certificates completed before February 1, 2020 were good for two years, and some older City guidance still says so. Every certificate completed since then is good for four years. Lead-free certificates don’t expire. (City FAQ, PDF, question 18)
Outside Philadelphia?
Norristown has its own ordinance. See Norristown rental lead requirements. For daycares and child-care facilities, see this guide.