How should a property manager respond to a suspected lead-based paint hazard in a pre-1978 unit?

• A. Notify tenants, follow EPA/state guidelines, avoid disturbing paint unless licensed, use certified professionals for abatement, and provide disclosure documents.
• B. Remove all residents from the building immediately.
• C. Ignore the hazard until tenants complain.
• D. Paint over the hazard without inspection.

Answer: (A)

When a lead-based paint hazard is suspected in a unit built before 1978, the priority is to protect residents and meet legal obligations by handling the situation with proper procedures and professional help. Lead paint can create dangerous dust and exposure, especially for children, so you don’t want to disturb it unless you’re using lead-safe practices or a licensed professional. The right course is to inform tenants about the potential hazard and follow the relevant guidelines from federal, state, and local authorities. You should not undertake renovations or sanding that could create dust without following lead-safe work practices, and you should hire certified professionals to perform any abatement or major disturbance of painted surfaces. Providing the required disclosure documents ensures tenants are aware of the hazard and know what steps have been taken or planned. This approach minimizes exposure, ensures proper containment and disposal, and fulfills regulatory disclosure requirements.

Other options fail because removing all residents isn’t necessary and ignores ongoing safety and legal requirements, ignoring the hazard endangers occupants and exposes you to liability, and painting over the hazard without inspection can trap lead dust and hide the problem rather than address it.