Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection
- Visual inspection of interior and exterior painted surfaces
- Dust wipe samples in the unit, sent to an accredited lab
- Certificate issued and filed when the unit passes
- Written list of what to fix if it doesn't
Licensed lead inspections · Rhode Island
Book a RIDOH-compliant lead inspection for your pre-1978 rental in two minutes. Pick a time, pay online, and we handle the visual inspection, dust wipes, lab work, and paperwork for your Certificate of Lead Conformance.
Lead Hazard Mitigation Inspection
| Dust wipe | Result |
|---|---|
| Kitchen floor | Pass |
| Bedroom 1 sill | Pass |
| Living rm window well | Pass |
| Exterior visual | Pass |
30-second check
Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right service.
Pricing
Lab fees for standard dust wipes are included. Build your exact price for your property below.
Build your price
Five quick choices. The total updates as you go, with nothing hidden.
How it works
Build your price, pick a preferred day and pay online. We confirm your time by text and email.
Use the checklist below. A clean, accessible unit is the biggest factor in passing the first time.
Our licensed inspector checks painted surfaces inside and out and takes dust wipes. Most units take about an hour.
Dust wipes go to an accredited lab. When results are in, you get your certificate or a punch list.
RI law gives you 30 days to correct hazards. Then book a reinspection and we'll issue the certificate on pass.
Before we arrive
Most failed inspections come down to dust on sills and window wells, or peeling paint outside.
Rhode Island requires at least two days' notice before entering an occupied unit.
Interior and exterior, including porches, railings, and trim. Use lead-safe work practices on pre-1978 buildings.
HEPA vacuum, then wet-wipe floors, window sills, and window wells the day before. Skip dry sweeping.
Every room, closet, basement, and porch unlocked. Windows should open and close.
Cover bare soil near the foundation and play areas with mulch or grass.
Learn
What landlords, buyers, and families ask us most. Tap a topic to open it.
Every RI certificate type, how long it lasts, and what test it takes.
Rental housing built before 1978 needs a valid lead certificate unless it's exempt. The Certificate of Lead Conformance is the one most landlords need.
| Certificate | Valid for | Inspection | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Lead Conformance (CLC) | 2 years | Lead Hazard Mitigation: visual + dust wipes | Most pre-1978 rentals |
| Affidavit of Visual Inspection | 2 years | Owner's own visual check, notarized | Renewing a CLC with the same tenant |
| Certificate of Presumptive Compliance | 1 year | Mitigation inspection of 5% of units | Properties with 10+ units |
| Conditional Lead Safe | 2 years | Comprehensive: paint, dust, soil, water | Properties with RIDOH violations |
| Full Lead Safe | Permanent | Comprehensive, meeting higher thresholds | Owners who want to be done for good |
Interior-only versions are available November through May, when exterior work isn't practical. They're short-term and need the exterior completed by June 30.
Registration, uploading your certificate, and what happens if you don't.
Rhode Island runs a statewide rental registry through the Department of Health. Every landlord has to register each rental property and upload proof that it meets the lead law.
Once your unit passes, upload the certificate to the registry right away so your record stays current.
The short list, plus the owner-occupied change from 2023.
Living in the building no longer exempts you. The owner-occupied exemption was removed in June 2023, so rental units in an owner-occupied two- or three-family need certificates too.
When you need a new inspection and when an affidavit will do.
New tenant moving in? You need a new inspection and certificate.
Same tenant for two years or more? You can renew with an Affidavit of Completion of Visual Inspection instead. You or your designee must:
The affidavit lasts two years or until the tenant changes, whichever comes first. Keep certificates and affidavits for at least five years.
The surfaces that fail inspections most often.
Lead paint is most dangerous when it turns into dust. Children under six are at the highest risk because they put their hands and toys in their mouths.
Your inspection window and what to ask for.
Federal law requires sellers of pre-1978 homes to disclose known lead hazards and gives buyers a 10-day window to get a lead inspection, unless you waive it in the contract.
If you're buying a rental, ask the seller for current certificates for every unit and check them against the state's public lead certificate database. A comprehensive inspection gives you the full picture before you close.
Sources: RIDOH Lead Hazard Mitigation Program · RIDOH Lead Certificate Cheat Sheet. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The cost of waiting
RIDOH enforces the rental registry and lead certificate requirements. A three-family with no certificates racks up $1,125 in fines in three months.
Per unit without a valid lead certificate.
Per unit not registered in the RI Rental Registry.
Unregistered landlords can't evict for nonpayment of rent.
FAQ
Most single units take about an hour on site. Larger units and multi-unit buildings take longer. We'll give you a time window when you book.
No. Someone just needs to give us access to every room, the basement, and the exterior. Many landlords leave a lockbox code in the booking notes.
You pay in full when you book, through Stripe's secure checkout. If the unit count on site differs from your booking, we bill or refund the difference.
Yes. Use the link in your confirmation text or email to reschedule or cancel at least 24 hours ahead. Changes with less notice are treated as a no-access visit and aren't refundable.
You get a written list of what needs fixing. RI law gives you 30 days to correct the hazards. Book a reinspection when the work is done.
Elevate Property Services handles lead-safe repairs, painting, and window work. Ask when you book and we'll quote it separately.
Yes. Five or more units in one visit get 10% off, and owners of 10+ units on one property may qualify for Presumptive Compliance.
We serve properties throughout Rhode Island. Book online and pick your address; we'll confirm if anything about the location needs a heads-up.
Already inspected?
Use the secure pay link in the text or email we sent you, or open your customer portal to see invoices, reports, and upcoming visits.