Philadelphia lead-safe certification for rental properties
If your rental was built before 1978, the city will not license it or let you sign a lease without a lead certificate on file. We coordinate the testing and the filing.
Coordination included with licensing. Testing billed at cost, typically $150 to $300 per unit.
- Year-built and exemption status verified
- EPA-certified dust-wipe testing scheduled
- Remediation and retest coordinated if a unit fails
- Results uploaded to the Health Department portal
- Tenant copies prepared
- 4-year expiration tracked
Who needs it
Philadelphia's Lead Disclosure and Certification law (Philadelphia Code Chapter 6-800) applies to every rental built before March 1978. It was phased in by zip code between 2020 and 2022 and now applies citywide. You need a valid certificate to obtain or renew a rental license and to sign or renew a lease.
Lead-safe vs lead-free
| Lead-safe | Lead-free | |
|---|---|---|
| What it means | No deteriorated paint and dust wipes below hazard levels | No lead-based paint found anywhere |
| Who tests | EPA-certified dust sampling technician or PA-licensed inspector | PA-licensed inspector or risk assessor |
| Valid for | 4 years | Does not expire |
| Typical cost | $150 to $300 per unit | $450 to $550+ per unit |
What we do
We confirm the build year against OPA records, check whether a valid certificate is already on file, schedule a tester, and prep the unit checklist so it passes the first time (peeling paint on windows and doors is the most common failure). If a unit fails, we coordinate repair through EPG Management vendors and schedule the retest.
Questions
My building was renovated. Do I still need lead testing?
How long does lead-safe testing take?
Related services
Get licensed before Nov 1.
$500 flat service fee per property + city fees at cost. We handle the city, the paperwork, and the follow-up.