Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program

Background

In 1978, the federal government banned the sale of lead-based paint for use in homes, childcare facilities and preschools. Approximately three-quarters of the homes in the United States built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint. Children can live safely in these homes as long as paint and surfaces are in good condition and surfaces are kept clean. The key is to keep children from coming into contact with lead.

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However, when painted surfaces are not maintained, paint can deteriorate, peel, chip or crack and become a hazard. Old or worn lead-based paint, especially on surfaces subject to constant friction like doors or window sills, can produce chips and dust that become a hazard when inhaled or ingested.

Any renovation, repair or painting project in a pre-1978 home or building that has lead-based paint can easily create dangerous lead dust.

Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule

Alert
Exemptions from the RRP Rule After a Disaster

To ensure that property owners and occupants can to act quickly to preserve their homes and property in the wake of disasters, the RRP Rule includes an emergency provision exempting firms from certain requirements. Read more about post-disaster renovations and lead-based paint.

EPA's RRP Rule requires that anyone paid to perform work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978 be certified and their employees be trained (either as a certified renovator or on-the-job by a certified renovator) in the use of lead-safe work practices that minimize occupants’ exposure to lead hazards.

In general, the RRP Rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own pre-1978 homes. However, it does apply if you rent all or part of your home, operate a childcare center in your home or if you buy, renovate and sell homes for profit (i.e., a house flipper).

EPA administers the RRP Program in most Tribes, states and territories, but has authorized the following to operate their own programs: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe-Boise Forte (Nette Lake). Find information for the EPA-authorized Tribal and state programs listed.

Who Does the RRP Program Apply To?

Report a Violation

EPA enforces lead-based paint laws to protect you and your family. If you suspect there is a problem, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-5323 or report a violation to EPA online.

Contractors

In general, anyone paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified in lead-safe work practices. This includes all firms, even sole proprietorships.

Training Providers

Training providers must be accredited by EPA (or an authorized Tribal or state program) to teach Certified Renovator and Lead Dust Sampling Technician Courses. Learn how to become an accredited training provider.

Homeowners

If you are planning an RRP project in a pre-1978 home, EPA recommends that homeowners hire a lead-safe certified contractor who is certified and trained in lead-safe work practices.

Do-It-Yourselfers

Generally speaking, the RRP Rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own pre-1978 home. However, it does apply if you rent all or part of your home, operate a childcare center in your home or if you buy, renovate and sell homes for profit (i.e., a house flipper). If you decide to do the work yourself, make sure to use do-it-yourself (DIY) lead-safe work practices to protect you and your family. Learn how to prevent lead exposure with DIY lead-safe work practices.

Renters

If you rent a pre-1978 home, your landlord or property management company must comply with the RRP Rule when performing work that disturbs paint. Learn about your rights as a renter.

Operators of Childcare Facilities

The RRP Rule requires that renovations of child-occupied facilities in buildings built before 1978 only be performed by lead-safe certified renovation firms.

Property Managers

Property management companies that perform, offer or claim to perform work that disturbs paint in a pre-1978 residential building or child-occupied facility must become a lead-safe certified firm. Find out how property managers can comply with the RRP Rule.

Lead Test Kit Users and Vendors

The use of an EPA-recognized lead test kit, when used by a trained professional, can reliably determine that regulated lead-based paint is not present by virtue of a negative result. Learn about the EPA-recognized lead test kits.

Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents play an important role in protecting the health of families purchasing, renting and moving into pre-1978 homes. Learn more about your responsibilities as a real estate agent.

RRP vs. Abatement

A contractor puts lead hazard tape over a door

Are you confused about the difference between abatement and renovation, repair and painting (RRP) projects? Lead abatement activities and RRP projects may sometimes look similar, but they are two separate programs that require different certifications and are regulated differently by EPA. Learn how they are similar and different.

Lead abatement is an activity designed to permanently address lead-based paint hazards in housing and child-occupied facilities (childcare facilities and preschools) built before 1978. Lead abatement often starts with lead-based paint inspections and/or risk assessments, which can help homeowners, property owners and others make informed decisions on managing lead-based paint and lead hazards in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. Learn more about inspections, risk assessments and abatement.

Other Federal Resources

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HUD’s Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes programs work to create new ways to improve homes, share important information that people can use to make their homes healthier, fund programs that help make homes safer and inform the public on how to prepare for and adapt to extreme temperatures and disasters.

Lead Safe Housing Rule (LSHR) Toolkit: This toolkit helps practitioners understand and comply with the federal lead rules. The rules apply to almost all ownership, rentals and sales of pre-1978 housing, regardless of occupants or federal assistance, to keep children and families safe from lead.
HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing: The Guidelines support HUD’s vision to reduce hazards in housing in a cost-effective manner while protecting the health of children. The Guidelines apply to lead hazard evaluation and control in all federally associated housing.
EPA Certified Renovation Firms and Certified Renovators Additional Requirements of HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule (pdf) (255.81 KB) : HUD’s Lead Safe Housing Rule (found in HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR Part 35, Subparts B through R), generally applies to work performed in target housing units receiving HUD housing assistance, such as rehabilitation or acquisition assistance.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Employers are required to protect workers from inorganic lead exposure under specific OSHA lead standards covering general industry, shipyards and construction. Find information from OSHA about lead exposures and read OSHA’s lead standards.