Ohio Department of Commerce reminds home sellers, landlords of required lead‑based paint disclosures
As homebuying season ramps up across the state, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing is reminding licensees, homeowners and landlords of their responsibilities when selling, leasing or renting out older homes that may contain lead-based paint. The Division is calling attention to this issue following more than 450 downloads of its Lead‑Based Paint Disclosure Form both in April 2025 and 2026.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, about 64% of housing units in Ohio were built before 1980 and are likely to contain some lead-based paint on interior and/or exterior surfaces. In 2024, approximately 168,000 children from birth to 6 years of age were screened for lead poisoning in Ohio, with 3.4% of them found to have confirmed lead levels 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or greater. Deteriorating lead-based paint and its resulting lead dust are the most common causes of lead exposure in children in Ohio.
Federal law requires sellers of most residential properties built before 1978 – when lead-based paint for residential use was banned – to provide potential buyers with a Lead‑Based Paint Disclosure Form. This document alerts consumers to any known lead hazards and helps families make informed safety decisions before purchasing a home. The form is available on the Division’s website at https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/real-estate-and-professiona…. Sellers are required to complete this form before a buyer becomes obligated under a purchase contract. Real estate professionals are also required to ensure the disclosure is properly presented during the transaction.
In addition to sales, federal law imposes a similar requirement for landlords leasing residential units built before 1978. Whether someone rents out a single property or manages several units, a disclosure form must be provided with each lease agreement. The rental disclosure form is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/lesr_eng.pdf.
When looking into purchasing a home built before 1978, ODH advises buyers to use your home inspection to conduct a lead paint assessment or risk assessment. Be advised that general home inspectors often do not test for lead. ODH has a list of licensed lead professionals at https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/lead-licensure-and-accreditation….
“Lead‑based paint hazards remain a serious concern in many older homes across Ohio,” said Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing Superintendent Daphne Hawk. “These disclosure requirements have been in place for decades, and they play a vital role in protecting families. By ensuring sellers and landlords understand their responsibilities, we can help prevent unnecessary exposure and strengthen consumer confidence in real estate transactions.”
Information on preventing lead poisoning, getting a lead test, and cleaning lead from a home is available from the Ohio Department of Health’s website.
“Even small amounts of lead can have serious health effects in children, including learning and behavior problems,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA. “Lead is most harmful to young children, because their bodies absorb it more easily, and it can also be dangerous to a baby during pregnancy. Ensuring your home is lead-safe is vital to protecting the health of your family.”
ODH also maintains a publicly accessible list of properties deemed unsafe due to known lead hazards because the owners have not complied with remediation orders. This includes an interactive map showing around 1,200 such properties across the state. Users can view address-level information to make informed decisions and contact local health authorities for more details or to report concerns. The information can be accessed at https://data.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/data/view/lead-hazardous-propertie….
Additional information on other important real estate disclosures and consumer protections is available on the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing page at com.ohio.gov/REPL.