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Landlord-Specific Information
What does the Lead Rental Registry entail?
- Registration of eligible properties in an online database
- A visual assessment of deteriorated paint (chipping, peeling, chalking) inside and on the outside of the property
- A visual assessment of outdoor soil conditions
- Remediation of identified lead hazard conditions
- Clearance lead dust wipe sampling in each unit
- Once a unit is declared “lead-safe”, a lead safety certificate will be issued.
- Rental registrations are not transferable to new owners. All new owners must register the change of ownership in the rental registry within 30 days of purchase.
- Properties must be inspected every three years.
- Failure to comply with any part of the LRR will result in enforcement. This may include fines, placards, and potential legal action.
How can property owners prepare?
- Register your eligible properties at Lead Safe NY by May 1, 2026.
- Become EPA-certified in lead renovation, repair, and painting (RRP). The Chemung County Health Department offers this training periodically, at no charge. Participants must pre-register for these training courses. Call 607-873-1308 to be added to the waitlist.
- Familiarize yourself with information about lead hazards.
- Educate your tenants by providing them with this fact sheet.
- Learn more about the Lead Rental Registry from New York State’s website.
We will continue to notify property owners as we gather more information from the New York State Department of Health. Please contact us at 607-873-1308 or stoplead@chemungcountyny.gov with any questions.
- Do I have to pay a registration or inspection fee?
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No, there are no administration charges for this program.
- There are no children living in my rental property. Do I still need to have this property inspected?
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Yes, while no children currently occupy the units, as a rental, there is always the opportunity for a new family to move in.
- I live in one of my units. Do I still need to register my property?
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Yes, all units meeting the eligibility criteria must be registered. However, the owner-occupied unit may be exempt from inspection requirements. This also applies to units occupied by immediate family members.
- My property has already been inspected by code enforcement. Do I need to have it inspected again?
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Yes, the Lead Rental Registry is a program separate from the City of Elmira’s Rental Housing Registration. While structured similarly, the Lead Rental Registry is focused exclusively on identifying lead hazards, rather than general building code violations.
- What is lead hazard remediation?
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Lead hazard remediation are the repairs required to correct lead hazards. These may include:
- Property removing peeling or chipping paint and re-painting (paint stabilization)
- Covering damaged areas with rigid, non-leaded materials (enclosure) or with specialized durable coatings (encapsulation)
- Lead abatement (permanent removal of lead)
- Is there funding to assist in lead hazard remediation?
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You may be eligible for assistance though the NYS Homes & Community Renewal’s Leading in Lead grant or the HUD Lead Hazard Reduction grant. Both are administered by the City of Elmira’s Office of Community Development.
- Can I correct the lead hazards myself?
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If you are EPA-certified in lead renovation, repair, and painting, you may complete renovation activities in your rental units. Lead abatement shall be completed by a firm certified in lead abatement by EPA. CCHD offers these classes periodically, at no charge. Participants must pre-register for these training courses. Call 607-873-1308 to be added to the waitlist.
- What is clearance dust wipe sampling?
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Clearance dust wipe sampling is a way to ensure that the amount of lead dust in a home is at a safe level. This is done after all paint and soil hazards have been adequately addressed, or when no lead paint hazards have been identified.
- What if I don’t comply with this law?
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Failure to comply with any part of Public Health Law Section 1377 may result in financial penalties, placarding the property, and potential legal action.
Updated 03/2026