Renters | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/environment/asbestos-lead-requirements/renters
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
Renters | Vermont Department of Health
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Translations for you
Renters
Asbestos & Lead Requirements
Look Up Licensed Asbestos and Lead Contractors
Licenses, Certificates & Permits
Contractors & Other Building Professionals
Child Care Providers & Schools
Municipal Officials
Property Owners & Landlords
Real Estate Professionals
Renters
Inspection, Repair & Cleaning (IRC) Practices
Training for RRPM & IRC Practices
Renovation, Repair, Painting & Maintenance (RRPM) Regulations
Lead in Homes Built Before 1978
Important Links
Look Up an IRC Practices Filing Statement
Confirm a contractor is Lead-Safe RRPM licensed
Submit an Asbestos or Lead Complaint
Lead is a highly toxic metal used in paint, stain and varnish until 1978. If lead-based paint is not handled properly during renovation, repair or painting work, it can cause
lead poisoning
.
If you are renting a property built before 1978, your landlord is required to make sure lead paint is in good condition so that it does not cause lead poisoning.
Know Your Landlord’s Responsibilities
By
Vermont law
, landlords are required to follow the Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices and to hire licensed Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) workers for renovation, repair or painting work.
At the start of your lease, your landlord must:
Give you the
Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
pamphlet.
Give you a copy of the most recent IRC Practices compliance statement.
Tell you about any known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards.
Each year, your landlord must:
Inspect for chipping and peeling paint or coatings, and pick up any paint chips from the property grounds.
Block access immediately to any areas that need paint repair.
Have repairs done by Lead-Safe RRPM licensed workers within 30 days of finding out about them.
Install window well inserts in all pre-1978 wooden sash windows.
Perform a specialized cleaning in common areas, and when there is a new tenant.
Post a notice in a prominent place - in either a common area or in each unit - that asks occupants to report deteriorated paint to the owner of the building promptly.
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and your family:
Learn about IRC Practices
and what landlords are required to do each year.
Look up your IRC Practices compliance statement
.
Don’t see a compliance statement for your home or have a concern?
Fill out this survey
.
Report chipping and peeling paint to your landlord.
Be sure to look carefully in all hard-to-see places.
If the paint does not appear smooth and firmly attached to the surface it is on, it needs to be repaired.
Look for the
notice poster
for information about how to report it.
Know what to ask, what to look for, and how to report a concern
when renovation or repair work is being done.
Clean windowsills, floors and other horizontal surfaces regularly using soap and a wet, disposable cloth.
Reach out to the Asbestos and Lead Regulatory Program if you have concerns.
If you think your landlord is not following the law, please talk to them first, or you can
complete this form
and we will look into it.
Asbestos in Homes
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that is used in many types of building construction materials. If asbestos-containing materials are not maintained in good condition or handled properly during renovation, repair or demolition work, asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Asbestos can be found in many types of building materials. Breathing in
asbestos fibers
increases your risk of having serious health effects — such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Learn more about asbestos
.
Under
Vermont law
, your landlord is required to:
Have an inspection done before a renovation to identify possible asbestos-containing materials.
Hire a Vermont-licensed asbestos inspector to do the inspection.
Hire a Vermont-licensed abatement contractor for any asbestos repair or abatement.
More Information
Lead Hazards and How to Prevent Lead Poisoning
Contact Us
Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program
Mailing Address:
VT Dept of Health
Environmental Health
Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-8350
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
802-863-7220 or 800-439-8550 (toll-free in Vermont)
Last Updated:
October 27, 2025
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
Renters
Asbestos & Lead Requirements
Look Up Licensed Asbestos and Lead Contractors
Licenses, Certificates & Permits
Contractors & Other Building Professionals
Child Care Providers & Schools
Municipal Officials
Property Owners & Landlords
Real Estate Professionals
Renters
Inspection, Repair & Cleaning (IRC) Practices
Training for RRPM & IRC Practices
Renovation, Repair, Painting & Maintenance (RRPM) Regulations
Lead in Homes Built Before 1978
Important Links
Look Up an IRC Practices Filing Statement
Confirm a contractor is Lead-Safe RRPM licensed
Submit an Asbestos or Lead Complaint
Lead is a highly toxic metal used in paint, stain and varnish until 1978. If lead-based paint is not handled properly during renovation, repair or painting work, it can cause
lead poisoning
.
If you are renting a property built before 1978, your landlord is required to make sure lead paint is in good condition so that it does not cause lead poisoning.
Know Your Landlord’s Responsibilities
By
Vermont law
, landlords are required to follow the Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices and to hire licensed Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) workers for renovation, repair or painting work.
At the start of your lease, your landlord must:
Give you the
Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
pamphlet.
Give you a copy of the most recent IRC Practices compliance statement.
Tell you about any known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards.
Each year, your landlord must:
Inspect for chipping and peeling paint or coatings, and pick up any paint chips from the property grounds.
Block access immediately to any areas that need paint repair.
Have repairs done by Lead-Safe RRPM licensed workers within 30 days of finding out about them.
Install window well inserts in all pre-1978 wooden sash windows.
Perform a specialized cleaning in common areas, and when there is a new tenant.
Post a notice in a prominent place - in either a common area or in each unit - that asks occupants to report deteriorated paint to the owner of the building promptly.
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and your family:
Learn about IRC Practices
and what landlords are required to do each year.
Look up your IRC Practices compliance statement
.
Don’t see a compliance statement for your home or have a concern?
Fill out this survey
.
Report chipping and peeling paint to your landlord.
Be sure to look carefully in all hard-to-see places.
If the paint does not appear smooth and firmly attached to the surface it is on, it needs to be repaired.
Look for the
notice poster
for information about how to report it.
Know what to ask, what to look for, and how to report a concern
when renovation or repair work is being done.
Clean windowsills, floors and other horizontal surfaces regularly using soap and a wet, disposable cloth.
Reach out to the Asbestos and Lead Regulatory Program if you have concerns.
If you think your landlord is not following the law, please talk to them first, or you can
complete this form
and we will look into it.
Asbestos in Homes
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that is used in many types of building construction materials. If asbestos-containing materials are not maintained in good condition or handled properly during renovation, repair or demolition work, asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Asbestos can be found in many types of building materials. Breathing in
asbestos fibers
increases your risk of having serious health effects — such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Learn more about asbestos
.
Under
Vermont law
, your landlord is required to:
Have an inspection done before a renovation to identify possible asbestos-containing materials.
Hire a Vermont-licensed asbestos inspector to do the inspection.
Hire a Vermont-licensed abatement contractor for any asbestos repair or abatement.
More Information
Lead Hazards and How to Prevent Lead Poisoning
Contact Us
Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program
Mailing Address:
VT Dept of Health
Environmental Health
Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-8350
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
802-863-7220 or 800-439-8550 (toll-free in Vermont)
Last Updated:
October 27, 2025