STEPS FOR ASSESSMENT

Before a lead risk assessment can proceed for a Cleveland rental property, the unit must be free of visible lead hazards. Owners should check the property for the following conditions: chipped, peeling, or deteriorated paint (interior and exterior, including basements, attics, and garages), bare or exposed soil, paint chips or debris, and visible dust on impact or friction surfaces (windows, window sills, floors). Environmental cleaning is strongly recommended for units prior to property inspection. If any of the above conditions are present, the unit is not ready for a lead risk assessment.

If lead hazards are present in your Cleveland rental property, owners must remediate these hazards before scheduling a property inspection or obtaining a lead risk assessment. Units that are not ready will fail the visual portion of the inspection.

All lead risk assessments for Cleveland rental properties begin with a visual assessment. 

During the visual assessment, we evaluate the unit for: 

- Deteriorated paint 

- Bare or exposed soil 

- Visible dust on friction or impact surfaces 

- Paint chips or debris 

If the unit fails the visual assessment: 

- No dust wipe samples are collected 

- The property inspection cannot proceed 

- A lead hazard report is issued 

Failed or unready units are not eligible for refunds.

If the unit passes the visual assessment during a Cleveland rental property inspection, dust wipe samples are collected from designated friction and impact surfaces. These samples are then sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis to determine the presence and concentration of lead hazards. The standard laboratory turnaround time is approximately 7 business days.

Once laboratory results meet clearance standards, a compliant lead risk assessment report for the Cleveland rental property is completed within 3 business days. 

Reports are: 

- Provided to the property owner or manager 

- Submitted to Building & Housing as required 

The City of Cleveland reviews the report and issues approval for Lead-Safe Certification when requirements are met, ensuring that all lead hazards are addressed during the property inspection.

After receiving Lead-Safe Certification, eligible Cleveland rental property owners can apply for City reimbursement incentives to address lead hazards. Owners may qualify for: Up to $750 per unit, up to 12 incentives per zip code, and up to 50 total incentives citywide. Eligibility requirements apply, and assistance with property inspection and rebate applications may be provided when requested.