Plain answers on New Jersey's lead-safe law and lead paint testing.
If you own a single-family, two-family, or multiple rental dwelling in New Jersey, most likely yes — unless an exemption applies. The law (P.L.2021, c.182) focuses on pre-1978 rentals. Common exemptions: units built in 1978 or later, certain seasonal rentals, some long-registered multiple dwellings with no outstanding lead violations, and units holding a valid lead-safe certificate.
You can hire your own. New Jersey municipalities must allow owners to hire a DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor directly. We are one (DCA #00869-E).
Every three years, or at tenant turnover — whichever comes first — unless the unit has a valid lead-safe certificate at turnover.
Three years from the date it is issued. (New Jersey extended the term from two years to three in a 2024 amendment to the law — older guidance online still says two.)
Lead-safe means no lead-based paint hazards were found at the inspection — the paint that is there is in sound condition and dust levels are within standards. Lead-free means no lead paint exists in the unit at all, which can only be established with an XRF inspection. We do lead-safe work; for XRF, we can refer you.
It depends on the municipality. Towns where 3% or more of young children tested have elevated blood lead levels must use dust-wipe sampling; other towns may use visual assessment, and some choose dust wipes anyway. Tell us your town and we'll confirm what's required.
Yes. Where your municipality uses the visual-assessment method, we perform the visual inspection — examining painted surfaces for peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, and other deterioration, with attention to friction and impact surfaces like windows and doors — and issue the lead-safe certificate when no hazards are found. Visual inspections are $250 per unit, with a discount on multiple units at the same property — and when no hazards are found, the lead-safe certificate is issued the same day. See the pricing page.
The owner has to remediate — through interim controls (like paint stabilization and specialized cleaning) or abatement — using properly certified firms, then get the unit re-inspected. We give you the lab results and explain your options in writing.
For homes, a standard set of 9 dust-wipe samples is $400. Rental inspections are quoted by unit and sample count. See the pricing page.
Samples ship to the lab the same day for next-day processing. Labs are closed on weekends, so results typically return within a few business days. If you have a hard deadline — a turnover or closing date — tell us when you book, and book earlier in the week if you can.
No. Our service is lead-based paint evaluation and dust-wipe sampling. We also do not perform XRF testing, but we can refer you to an XRF specialist.
Yes — that's the most common time to do it. Call as soon as you're under contract so lab time fits inside your deadline.
Still have a question? Call (908) 842-0222
Answers summarized from NJ Department of Community Affairs guidance on P.L.2021, c.182. General information, not legal advice; your municipality's rules control.