Inspection, Repair & Cleaning (IRC) Practices | Vermont Department of Health
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:15
Inspection, Repair & Cleaning (IRC) Practices | Vermont Department of Health
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Inspection, Repair & Cleaning (IRC) Practices
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
Why IRC Practices are Required in Vermont
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was commonly used in house paint until 1978. About 60% of Vermont homes were built before then.
Lead-based paint includes any paint, coating, stain or seal made before 1978. It becomes hazardous when it's disturbed, creating lead dust that can be breathed in or swallowed. This exposure can cause lead poisoning and permanent health effects. Lead is especially harmful to children and people who are pregnant.
Learn more about lead poisoning
To help prevent lead poisoning,
Vermont law
requires
owners of rental housing and child care facilities built before 1978
to perform Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices and to file a compliance statement each year.
Important Links
Sign up for an IRC Practices Training
Submit an IRC Practices Compliance Statement
Find a Lead-Safe RRPM Firm or Contractor
Learn about Vermont Lead-Safe RRPM
What are IRC Practices?
IRC Practices are required for rental housing and child care facilities built before 1978. An IRC-certified person must:
Inspect
for chipping and peeling paint, 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.
Confirm
window well inserts are installed in all pre-1978 wooden sash windows.
Perform
a specialized cleaning in common areas, and when there is a new tenant.
Give
new tenants the
Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
pamphlet, if you are a landlord. If you are a child care owner,
post
the pamphlet in your facility and give it to parents or caregivers if requested.
Make sure
a
notice to occupants
is posted in a prominent place – in either a common area or in each unit – asking occupants to report deteriorated paint to the building owner.
Submit
a compliance statement every year after the work is completed.
Give
a copy of the compliance statement to:
Your tenants and insurance carrier, if you are a landlord.
The Department for Children and Families, your insurance carrier, and the child care provider at your facility, if you are a child care owner.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Comply with IRC Practices
Step 1: Become IRC Practices certified or hire someone who is
Only a certified person can perform IRC Practices on your property. We recommend that landlords and child care owners become certified.
How to become IRC Practices certified:
Take
an IRC Practices training course approved by the Health Department.
Pass
the test with a score of 70% or higher.
Get
your certificate via email within two weeks of the training date.
Once certified, you can perform the IRC Practices for your rental property or child care facility.
IRC Practices certificates are valid for five years. You must take the IRC Practices training course again to renew your certificate. The appeal process for a certification decision is in the
Statement of Procedural Rights
.
Find out how to sign up for a training course
If you don’t want to or can’t become certified
, then you can hire someone who is.
Look up a Vermont-licensed Lead-Safe RRPM Firm
that performs IRC Practices.
Step 2: Perform IRC Practices each year
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.
Confirm
window well inserts are installed in all pre-1978 wooden sash windows.
Perform
a specialized cleaning in common areas, and when there is a new tenant.
Give
new tenants the
Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
pamphlet, if you are a landlord. If you are a child care owner,
post
the pamphlet in your facility and give it to parents or caregivers if requested.
Make sure
a
notice to occupants
is posted in a prominent place – in either a common area or in each unit – asking occupants to report deteriorated paint to the building owner.
If you are a landlord
, you are also required to give your tenants this information before their lease starts:
A copy of the rental unit’s most recent IRC Practices compliance statement
Any known information about lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards
Step 3: Make sure lead-safe repairs are made
If you find chipping or peeling paint or stain that is more than 1 square foot total per interior room or exterior side of the building, a Lead-Safe RRPM licensed worker must make the repairs.
If you hire a contractor
, they must have the Vermont Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) Firm and Supervisor licenses.
Find a contractor
If you are a landlord
, you can do the work yourself if you have a Lead-Safe RRPM Firm – Landlord license or the RRPM Firm and Supervisor licenses.
Find out how to get licensed
If you are a child care owner
, you can apply for an Uncompensated Child Care Operator (UCCO) certificate to do repairs work at your facility only.
Find out how to get certified
Step 4: Submit your annual IRC Practices compliance statement
After you have inspected your property and made any repairs, you need to
submit a compliance statement
through the Health Department’s online system. Read the
step-by-step instructions
and
frequently asked questions
about how to submit your compliance statement.
If you are a landlord,
give a copy of the IRC Practices compliance statement to your tenants and insurance carrier.
If you are a child care owner,
give a copy of the IRC Practices compliance statement to the Department for Children and Families, your insurance carrier, and the child care provider at your facility. You must also post it in a visible location for parents/guardians and make it available to them upon request.
Step 5: Stay in compliance
Vermont law requires you to perform IRC Practices and submit a compliance statement each year. You may be fined if you do not submit a compliance statement, or if you submit a false statement. To avoid fines, make sure you are honest when you submit your statement and submit it on time.
If you need more time to make repairs
, you can
request an extension
.
If you receive an IRC Practices enforcement notice
, fill out the
Response to Enforcement Notice Form
.
If you sold your property or no longer rent it
, you can
ask to be exempt from filing
.
Exemption from Vermont Lead Regulations
If you own a home, rental property or child care facility built before 1978, you may be eligible for a building exemption only if a
Vermont-licensed lead inspector finds that the building does not have lead-based paint
.
A building exemption approved by the Health Department means you will be exempt from the
Vermont Regulations for Lead Control
. You will not be required to perform IRC Practices, file an annual IRC Practices compliance statement, follow RRPM work practices, or avoid the
prohibited work practices
when working on the building.
The Health Department approves exemptions for buildings – full building or building components – built before 1978. For a building component exemption, you must comply with the lead regulations on the parts of the building that did not receive an exemption.
Find out how to request an exemption from Vermont lead regulations
IRC Practices Documents and Materials
Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
Notice to Occupants: Prevent Lead Poisoning
Required Lead-Safe Work Practices for Contractors
How to Comply with Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices
Lead Paint: Vermont's Inspection, Repair & Cleaning Practices
FAQs for Landlords/Property Management Companies and Child Care Owners
I need to request an extension for my IRC Practices. What do I need to do?
If you need to make repairs and can’t meet the filing deadline, you must request an extension.
To request an extension, fill out the
IRC Practices Filing Extension Request Form
. Once the repair work is done, you can submit your IRC Practices compliance statement.
There are two types of extensions:
30-day extension:
for IRC Practices inspections, specialized cleaning, window well insert installation, interior repairs, and exterior repairs during the warmer months.
Up to six-month extension:
for exterior repairs if you find deteriorated paint or stain during the winter.
You must immediately block access to the deteriorated area
(whether it is inside or outside) until repairs are made. The access must be blocked with a physical barrier, for example, putting up a fence around the area or stapling plastic over the area. Make sure you do not block access to exits needed for safety.
I’m doing renovation or repair work that will disturb lead-based paint. What do I need to do?
Only a Lead-Safe RRPM licensed person can do renovation, repair and painting work that will disturb an area greater than 1 square foot per room or exterior side of the building. The type of work that requires these licenses includes (but is not limited to) painting, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, weatherization and window replacement work.
If you hire a contractor
, they must have the Vermont Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) Firm and Supervisor licenses.
Find a contractor
If you are a landlord
, you can do the work yourself if you have a Lead-Safe RRPM Firm – Landlord license.
Find out how to get licensed
If you are a child care owner
, you can apply for an Uncompensated Child Care Operator (UCCO) certificate to perform work on your child care facility only.
Find out how to get certified
What are lead-safe work practices? What types of work practices are prohibited?
Lead-Safe Work Practices
Limiting access to work areas
Enclosing the work area with plastic sheeting
Wearing protective clothing
Using water to dampen painted surfaces or debris before disturbing them
Avoiding practices that create dust
Keeping lead dust in the work area
Cleaning up the area once work is done
Find more information on
required lead-safe work practices
.
Prohibited Practices
Under the law, the following practices are
not allowed
to be used:
Dry scraping or sanding
Use of power tools
Using chemical strippers
Open flame burning or torching
Heat guns operating above 1100°F
Hydroblasting or high pressure washing
Abrasive blasting or sandblasting
What should I do if I’ve sold my property or no longer rent it?
If you have sold your property, or no longer rent it or use it as a child care facility, please fill out the
Change in IRC Practices Filing Status Form
to ask to be exempt from filing.
Is there any financial assistance available?
Yes. Funding is available to help you pay for a lead-related project.
Learn more about financial assistance programs and eligibility
More Resources
Lead Hazards and Lead Poisoning
Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law
Topics:
Lead Poisoning
Last Updated:
April 9, 2026
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
Inspection, Repair & Cleaning (IRC) Practices
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
Why IRC Practices are Required in Vermont
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was commonly used in house paint until 1978. About 60% of Vermont homes were built before then.
Lead-based paint includes any paint, coating, stain or seal made before 1978. It becomes hazardous when it's disturbed, creating lead dust that can be breathed in or swallowed. This exposure can cause lead poisoning and permanent health effects. Lead is especially harmful to children and people who are pregnant.
Learn more about lead poisoning
To help prevent lead poisoning,
Vermont law
requires
owners of rental housing and child care facilities built before 1978
to perform Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices and to file a compliance statement each year.
Important Links
Sign up for an IRC Practices Training
Submit an IRC Practices Compliance Statement
Find a Lead-Safe RRPM Firm or Contractor
Learn about Vermont Lead-Safe RRPM
What are IRC Practices?
IRC Practices are required for rental housing and child care facilities built before 1978. An IRC-certified person must:
Inspect
for chipping and peeling paint, 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.
Confirm
window well inserts are installed in all pre-1978 wooden sash windows.
Perform
a specialized cleaning in common areas, and when there is a new tenant.
Give
new tenants the
Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
pamphlet, if you are a landlord. If you are a child care owner,
post
the pamphlet in your facility and give it to parents or caregivers if requested.
Make sure
a
notice to occupants
is posted in a prominent place – in either a common area or in each unit – asking occupants to report deteriorated paint to the building owner.
Submit
a compliance statement every year after the work is completed.
Give
a copy of the compliance statement to:
Your tenants and insurance carrier, if you are a landlord.
The Department for Children and Families, your insurance carrier, and the child care provider at your facility, if you are a child care owner.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Comply with IRC Practices
Step 1: Become IRC Practices certified or hire someone who is
Only a certified person can perform IRC Practices on your property. We recommend that landlords and child care owners become certified.
How to become IRC Practices certified:
Take
an IRC Practices training course approved by the Health Department.
Pass
the test with a score of 70% or higher.
Get
your certificate via email within two weeks of the training date.
Once certified, you can perform the IRC Practices for your rental property or child care facility.
IRC Practices certificates are valid for five years. You must take the IRC Practices training course again to renew your certificate. The appeal process for a certification decision is in the
Statement of Procedural Rights
.
Find out how to sign up for a training course
If you don’t want to or can’t become certified
, then you can hire someone who is.
Look up a Vermont-licensed Lead-Safe RRPM Firm
that performs IRC Practices.
Step 2: Perform IRC Practices each year
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.
Confirm
window well inserts are installed in all pre-1978 wooden sash windows.
Perform
a specialized cleaning in common areas, and when there is a new tenant.
Give
new tenants the
Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
pamphlet, if you are a landlord. If you are a child care owner,
post
the pamphlet in your facility and give it to parents or caregivers if requested.
Make sure
a
notice to occupants
is posted in a prominent place – in either a common area or in each unit – asking occupants to report deteriorated paint to the building owner.
If you are a landlord
, you are also required to give your tenants this information before their lease starts:
A copy of the rental unit’s most recent IRC Practices compliance statement
Any known information about lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards
Step 3: Make sure lead-safe repairs are made
If you find chipping or peeling paint or stain that is more than 1 square foot total per interior room or exterior side of the building, a Lead-Safe RRPM licensed worker must make the repairs.
If you hire a contractor
, they must have the Vermont Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) Firm and Supervisor licenses.
Find a contractor
If you are a landlord
, you can do the work yourself if you have a Lead-Safe RRPM Firm – Landlord license or the RRPM Firm and Supervisor licenses.
Find out how to get licensed
If you are a child care owner
, you can apply for an Uncompensated Child Care Operator (UCCO) certificate to do repairs work at your facility only.
Find out how to get certified
Step 4: Submit your annual IRC Practices compliance statement
After you have inspected your property and made any repairs, you need to
submit a compliance statement
through the Health Department’s online system. Read the
step-by-step instructions
and
frequently asked questions
about how to submit your compliance statement.
If you are a landlord,
give a copy of the IRC Practices compliance statement to your tenants and insurance carrier.
If you are a child care owner,
give a copy of the IRC Practices compliance statement to the Department for Children and Families, your insurance carrier, and the child care provider at your facility. You must also post it in a visible location for parents/guardians and make it available to them upon request.
Step 5: Stay in compliance
Vermont law requires you to perform IRC Practices and submit a compliance statement each year. You may be fined if you do not submit a compliance statement, or if you submit a false statement. To avoid fines, make sure you are honest when you submit your statement and submit it on time.
If you need more time to make repairs
, you can
request an extension
.
If you receive an IRC Practices enforcement notice
, fill out the
Response to Enforcement Notice Form
.
If you sold your property or no longer rent it
, you can
ask to be exempt from filing
.
Exemption from Vermont Lead Regulations
If you own a home, rental property or child care facility built before 1978, you may be eligible for a building exemption only if a
Vermont-licensed lead inspector finds that the building does not have lead-based paint
.
A building exemption approved by the Health Department means you will be exempt from the
Vermont Regulations for Lead Control
. You will not be required to perform IRC Practices, file an annual IRC Practices compliance statement, follow RRPM work practices, or avoid the
prohibited work practices
when working on the building.
The Health Department approves exemptions for buildings – full building or building components – built before 1978. For a building component exemption, you must comply with the lead regulations on the parts of the building that did not receive an exemption.
Find out how to request an exemption from Vermont lead regulations
IRC Practices Documents and Materials
Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
Notice to Occupants: Prevent Lead Poisoning
Required Lead-Safe Work Practices for Contractors
How to Comply with Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices
Lead Paint: Vermont's Inspection, Repair & Cleaning Practices
FAQs for Landlords/Property Management Companies and Child Care Owners
I need to request an extension for my IRC Practices. What do I need to do?
If you need to make repairs and can’t meet the filing deadline, you must request an extension.
To request an extension, fill out the
IRC Practices Filing Extension Request Form
. Once the repair work is done, you can submit your IRC Practices compliance statement.
There are two types of extensions:
30-day extension:
for IRC Practices inspections, specialized cleaning, window well insert installation, interior repairs, and exterior repairs during the warmer months.
Up to six-month extension:
for exterior repairs if you find deteriorated paint or stain during the winter.
You must immediately block access to the deteriorated area
(whether it is inside or outside) until repairs are made. The access must be blocked with a physical barrier, for example, putting up a fence around the area or stapling plastic over the area. Make sure you do not block access to exits needed for safety.
I’m doing renovation or repair work that will disturb lead-based paint. What do I need to do?
Only a Lead-Safe RRPM licensed person can do renovation, repair and painting work that will disturb an area greater than 1 square foot per room or exterior side of the building. The type of work that requires these licenses includes (but is not limited to) painting, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, weatherization and window replacement work.
If you hire a contractor
, they must have the Vermont Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) Firm and Supervisor licenses.
Find a contractor
If you are a landlord
, you can do the work yourself if you have a Lead-Safe RRPM Firm – Landlord license.
Find out how to get licensed
If you are a child care owner
, you can apply for an Uncompensated Child Care Operator (UCCO) certificate to perform work on your child care facility only.
Find out how to get certified
What are lead-safe work practices? What types of work practices are prohibited?
Lead-Safe Work Practices
Limiting access to work areas
Enclosing the work area with plastic sheeting
Wearing protective clothing
Using water to dampen painted surfaces or debris before disturbing them
Avoiding practices that create dust
Keeping lead dust in the work area
Cleaning up the area once work is done
Find more information on
required lead-safe work practices
.
Prohibited Practices
Under the law, the following practices are
not allowed
to be used:
Dry scraping or sanding
Use of power tools
Using chemical strippers
Open flame burning or torching
Heat guns operating above 1100°F
Hydroblasting or high pressure washing
Abrasive blasting or sandblasting
What should I do if I’ve sold my property or no longer rent it?
If you have sold your property, or no longer rent it or use it as a child care facility, please fill out the
Change in IRC Practices Filing Status Form
to ask to be exempt from filing.
Is there any financial assistance available?
Yes. Funding is available to help you pay for a lead-related project.
Learn more about financial assistance programs and eligibility
More Resources
Lead Hazards and Lead Poisoning
Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law
Topics:
Lead Poisoning
Last Updated:
April 9, 2026