--- title: "Rental Property Owners Need to Know About Lead Poisoning in Southern MD" description: "Lead poisoning has been in the news lately. Whether you own an older home or live by an industry that […]" url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/rental-property-owners-need-know-lead-poisoning-southern-md publisher: Real Property Management Gold phone: +1-301-392-2172 assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment --- # Rental Property Owners Need to Know About Lead Poisoning in Southern MD MaintenancePublished September 8, 2016Updated May 25, 2017 Lead poisoning has been in the news lately. Whether you own an older home or live by an industry that has lead involved in a process, the effects of lead poisoning on communities is real. Real Property Management Gold is concerned about the safety and health of tenants and takes the possibility of lead poisoning seriously. A metal toxicologist and faculty associate at the University of Texas Arlington, Trey Brown, has stated that, “childhood lead poisoning is the #1 environmental contaminant-driven disease in the country, and nobody knows this.” A proactive approach to this environmental problem is needed. Many homes and buildings built before 1978 still have lead based paint on the outside and inside of the structure. The state of Maryland requires all properties built before 1978 to undergo lead testing and submit the results to the MDE. This registration must be updated yearly even if the house tests lead free.  Lead based paint is just one source of potential poisoning that can be dealt with in rental properties. Taking care of older homes is a job for [Southern Maryland property investors](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/attending-local-real-estate-club-meetings-can-good-idea) to address. An initial reaction is to just have the paint removed. But removing lead based paint poses problems and must be done correctly to insure that the contamination is contained. The best method of dealing with lead based paint that isn’t peeling, chipping, or flaking off is to simply paint over the existing paint and completely seal it from exposure. Use high quality paint that will last a long time and has good endurance to normal living conditions. Several layers of new paint may be needed but if lead paint is properly sealed it won’t pose a problem of contamination. Real Property Management Gold can help you determine if the lead based paint needs to be removed from your rental unit, and take special care to do so. It may be best to hire a professional lead paint removal company to properly contain dust and flakes from the old paint. Old lead based paint dust can contaminate rooms in your home or even the soil in your yard. So proper containment is essential. Always wear protective and disposable clothing as well as a respirator when working with lead based paints. Offering a healthy living environment to tenants is always important to Real Property Management Gold. First published by Real Property Management Gold on September 8, 2016. Details may have changed since then; current rules are in the [Landlord Center](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center). ## Keep reading - [Smart Property Management Strategies for Rental Owners in California, MDCalifornia, Maryland is part of the Southern Maryland rental market and benefits from consistent housing demand driven by military activity, \[…\]](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/smart-property-management-strategies-rental-owners-california-md) - [How 3D Virtual Tours Improve Rental Property Marketing & Lease FasterStand out in a competitive rental market. Learn how to use 3D virtual tours to showcase your property and attract quality tenants.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/virtual-walkthroughs-rent-your-property-faster-661) - [Protecting Your Southern Maryland Rental Property: The Importance of Professional ManagementAre you a DIY landlord in Southern Maryland? Protecting your investment is crucial, and it can be a full-time job. \[…\]](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/protecting-your-southern-maryland-rental-property) ## Ask what your home could rent for. Free. A free rental assessment from our offices in Lexington Park and Waldorf. No cost, no contract, no pressure. [Request a free assessment](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment)[(301) 392-2172](tel:+13013922172)