Rental Registration & Lead Paint Compliance
MDE lead paint registration, local rental licensing, and the certifications and notices that go with both, handled so a missed renewal never turns into a legal problem.
Free 15-minute call. No obligation, no sales pitch.
Two Layers of Compliance, One Less Thing to Track
State lead paint law and local rental licensing run on separate tracks, with separate deadlines. We track both so nothing lapses.
MDE Lead Registration
Pre-1978 units registered with the Maryland Department of the Environment and renewed annually.
Inspection & Certification
Coordinated with an MDE-accredited inspector so the lead-safe certificate is in place before move-in.
Local Rental Licensing
City and county licensing where it applies, including code enforcement inspections and local agent requirements.
Tenant Notifications
Required lead paint disclosures and brochures delivered at move-in and every two years after.
Two Separate Compliance Clocks Running at Once
Maryland’s lead paint law is statewide. Rental licensing is local and varies by city or county. Missing either one can put an owner’s ability to collect rent or evict at risk.
- Pre-1978 registration: any rental unit built before 1978 has to be registered with the Maryland Department of the Environment within 30 days of acquiring it, with a $30 fee per property and annual renewal under an owner-specific tracking number.
- Certification before occupancy: those units need a lead-safe or lead-free certification from an MDE-accredited inspector before a new tenant moves in. Skipping this isn't a paperwork technicality, it affects your legal standing if a lead claim is ever made.
- Ongoing tenant notice: at move-in and every two years after, affected units require the current inspection certificate plus MDE's "Notice of Tenants' Rights" and the federal "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home" brochure.
- Local licensing varies: Cumberland, for example, requires a rental license and a code enforcement inspection before a tenant moves in, unless the unit passed inspection in the prior 12 months, plus a local agent on file for owners who don't live in Allegany County.
- Unincorporated areas differ: LaVale, for instance, has no town government of its own, so there's no separate municipal rental license there, just the county and state requirements.
How We Keep You Compliant
Property Assessment
We check the build year, jurisdiction, and current registration status to see exactly what applies to your specific property.
Registration & Certification
We file the MDE registration, coordinate any required lead inspection, and apply for local rental licenses where they’re required.
Ongoing Renewal
Annual MDE renewals, biennial tenant notices, and local license renewals get tracked and handled before they lapse.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my property needs to register for lead paint?
What happens if I don't register or certify my property?
Does Cumberland require its own rental license?
Do the same local licensing rules apply in LaVale?
How often do I need to renew?
Stop managing.
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Free 15-minute call. No obligation, no sales pitch.
Or call (240) 580-8581 · [email protected]