Landlords, building owners, and tenants of New York City: you need to be aware of the recently introduced Local Law 31 of 2020. Local Law 31 is part of a series of laws introduced as far back as 2004 (with Local Law 1) that deal with lead inspections and lead exposure; Local Law 31 brings major updates that landlords and anyone who owns or operates a pre-1960s construction residential building need to know. At EnviroNYC, we’re leading the way for a safer, cleaner Manhattan. Read on to learn more about Local Law 31, or get in touch with EnviroNYC today to schedule your home lead inspection!
What is Local Law 31?
Local Law 31 is a continuation of the Local Law series of laws, first introduced in 2004. The most notable requirement in the recently introduced bill is for building owners to conduct certified lead-based paint inspections for all residential dwelling units with pre-1960s construction. Building owners will have a specified timeframe in which to complete this assessment, making it vital that if you’re a landlord you get in touch with us today!
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Inspection Requirements for Landlords
This law, which went into practice in 2020, requires landlords to conduct X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) lead inspections with a licensed, EPA-certified inspector to test for any lead-based paint in older residential buildings.
Lead Testing for Units With Children Under Six
The law states that there is a five-year testing window. This means that all residential building owners in New York City need to have their buildings inspected by August of 2025, or face fines and even an inability to rent their properties. Additionally, units with children under the age of six in them have to be inspected sooner — within one year of the child’s move-in date.
The full list of requirements can be found on the law’s webpage but can be summarized below:
- X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer inspections are now required for all surfaces in every single rental unit that has pre-1960s construction, even in multiple dwelling buildings.
- Landlords and building owners have until August 2025 to carry out these inspections.
- Inspections must be carried out by an EPA-certified lead inspector; this can be with any firm that specializes in lead-based paint remediation, such as EnviroNYC.
- Any home improvement contractor must show evidence that they’re EPA-certified, and follow safety best-practice.
Local Law 31 is designed to help protect New York City’s neighborhoods from the dangers of lead-based paints, making it imperative that all building owners get in touch with a certified lead-based paint remediation company, like EnviroNYC. Contact us today for more information about how we can help you stay compliant with Local Law 31!