Lead paint registration

Maryland's lead law covers rental homes built before 1978. Owners must register each property with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), renew every year, and provide valid lead inspection certificates at each tenant turnover, unless the property is certified lead-free. As of October 2026, MDE lists a $30 per unit registration fee that must also be paid annually.

Registration is only part of it. Owners must also get a lead risk reduction certificate at every change in tenancy, and give tenants education materials before they move in and every two years after. Owner-occupied homes are not regulated, but a rented pre-1978 home is, no matter how much it has been renovated.

Plan the inspection into your turnover schedule so a home is never listed without a certificate. It fits naturally into make-ready work. Our lead paint compliance guide explains each step. Check with your county too, because local registration may also apply; see rental license.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney.