Maryland Lead Paint Rules for Rental Homes Built Before 1978

Which Maryland rentals need lead paint registration?

Every residential rental unit built before 1978 must comply with Maryland’s lead paint law. MDE’s owner FAQ says compliance is mandatory for rental dwelling units built before 1978, “regardless of renovation history.” The law covers houses, townhomes, condos, and each unit in a multi-unit building. Federally assisted rentals, including those with housing vouchers, must comply too.

The law treats an “owner” broadly. MDE’s FAQ lists a person, firm, corporation, authorized agent, property manager, or leasing agent who holds or controls any part of the interest in the property. If you hire a manager, you and the manager both need to know the rules.

The “dme” in this page’s web address is a legacy label. The state agency is the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The glossary has a short entry on lead paint registration.

How much does the MDE registration cost?

MDE’s own sources show two different fees, so check the current fee before you pay. As of October 29, 2026, all four sources below were live, and none says which one replaces the other.

A single-family home counts as one unit. A building with more units pays per unit.

The agency page says online registration is recommended and is required for renewals and updates. Ownership records must match state tax records exactly, and a change in ownership needs a new registration and tracking number. To find a tracking number, call the Lead Rental Registry office at 410-537-4199. Do not guess the fee. Confirm it on the MDE page or by phone, then keep the receipt.

What inspection certificates does Maryland require?

Maryland uses four certificate types. Which one you need depends on the paint, the tenant history, and whether you want to avoid the turnover testing.

Real Property Management Gold describes the two common paths this way. With the Full Risk Reduction, you are still allowed to have some traceable lead in the property. Southern Maryland owners usually get this done when they have homes that were constructed before 1950, and originally built with all lead paint. It’s difficult to completely eliminate all the lead from those homes. This test can cost between $300 and $600, depending on the number of dust wipes the inspector has to do. The main problem with this inspection is that it has to be done every time a tenant moves in and out of the property.

The Maryland Lead Free test is more common. In this situation, your inspector comes into the house with an XRF gun to determine if the house has any lead in it at all. If it is 100 percent lead free, you get your certificate and the test never has to be done again.

Owners often ask two important questions. First, they want to know if they have to get the testing done if the property was inspected when the home was first purchased and the owner was moving in. You still need to get another test because that one is not valid. When it becomes a rental property, the inspection must be redone. Owners also want to know how to prepare their house for the inspection. The most important thing you can do is walk through the property and ensure you don’t see any chipping or peeling paint. If your inspector notes any chipping or peeling paint on the inside or outside of the house, you will automatically fail before the test is even conducted.

The processing fee for submitting a lead free certification is $10 per unit. Federal lead paint disclosure rules still apply to lead-free homes. Only MDE accredited inspectors can issue these certificates, and MDE keeps a list of accredited inspectors.

The visual check comes first, so loose paint can fail a unit before a single dust wipe is taken. Walk the house before you book. Look at windows, doors, trim, porches, and siding. Scrape and repaint where paint is failing, and clean the unit well. MDE says dust testing is most likely to pass in a clean, well-maintained property.

What are the steps from registration to move-in?

Follow this order for a pre-1978 rental. The same list works for a new purchase and for a turnover.

1. Confirm the year built. MDE’s registration rule covers rentals built before 1978. If you are not sure, ask MDE before you list.
2. Register the property. Use MDE’s online registration. MDE says paper forms are only for new properties under the same ownership and must include a tracking number. Names on the registration must match state tax records exactly.
3. Pay the registration fee. Confirm the amount with MDE first (see the table above), and keep the receipt.
4. Book an accredited inspector. Use MDE’s list of accredited lead paint inspectors. Get more than one quote, because the law sets no price.
5. Fix paint first. Remove or repaint chipping, peeling, or flaking paint inside and out, and clean the unit.
6. Get the certificate before the tenant moves in. The Full Risk Reduction inspection is usually done in a vacant unit before a new tenant arrives.
7. Hand over the tenant materials. Give the Notice of Tenant’s Rights, the EPA brochure, and the certificate. Repeat every two years.
8. Set a renewal reminder. Per MDE’s landlord page, renewal is due by December 31. MDE says renewals must be done online.
9. Keep copies. Registration forms and certificates may be needed for local registration, rent court, or Section 8.

A missed step often shows up at the worst time, such as a tenant’s complaint or a court date. Build the steps into your make-ready routine so each turnover follows the same checklist.

What must I give the tenant?

You must give each tenant the Notice of Tenant’s Rights, the EPA brochure “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home,” and a copy of the current lead inspection certificate. Give them at the start of each new tenancy and every two years after that for existing tenants.

Keep proof that you delivered them. Add the lead paperwork to your move-in inspection file so you can find everything in one place. If your lease template does not list these items, add them to the lease packet.

What do I do if a tenant reports peeling paint or a child has high lead levels?

Act fast and in writing. Within 30 days after you receive written notice of defects from the tenant or any other source, MDE says you must do one of two things. Either relocate the tenants permanently to a unit that is certified lead free or meets the full risk reduction standard, or relocate them temporarily while an MDE accredited contractor performs specific lead hazard reduction treatments. After the work, you need a passing modified risk reduction certificate before the tenants move back.

The same 30 days apply when you learn that a person at risk has a blood lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter or more and an environmental investigation has found defects. Call MDE at (410) 537-3825 if you are unsure which path applies.

Does lead registration affect a failure to pay rent case?

Yes. A failure to pay rent complaint for a pre-1978 property must state that you registered and renewed the registration. It must also give the inspection certificate number for the current tenancy. If you cannot give a number, the statute lists narrow reasons, for example that you asked the tenant for access to do the work and the tenant refused.

Missing paperwork can stop a case that should be simple. Our eviction guide shows where the statement fits in the process. MDE also says records of inspections, registration, and ownership may be needed for rent court or programs like Section 8.

Do counties add their own rules?

Yes, in some places. MDE says some counties and Baltimore City require separate rental property registration and fees on top of the state requirement, and that the state does not collect those fees for local governments. In Southern Maryland, see our rental license guide for county and town licenses.

Charles County’s proposed rental licensing program, which the county page says is subject to final adoption, would ask for lead-risk reduction documentation, when applicable. If you own a pre-1978 home in Charles County, keeping your MDE paperwork current now will make that step easier later.

What happens if I skip it?

MDE can order compliance and assess civil penalties. The agency also says failure to comply can result in fines and loss of legal protections. A tenant’s attorney can use noncompliance to build a claim of negligence against the owner. These are real risks on an older home, and the cost of registering and testing is small next to them.

Next step

Own a pre-1978 rental and want the lead paperwork tracked with the rest of your management? Request a free assessment at /contact-us or call (301) 392-2172.

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