Tenants Rights to Lead Safe Housing

What are your rights to lead safe housing?

1. In Cleveland every rental property must be registered with the city and must have an Agent in Charge who is responsible for Code Compliance.

2. Once registered, any rental property that was built before 1978 is required to have a lead risk assessment and clearance test every two years. Here's how to check.

3. Before making a rental agreement, landlords of pre-1978 rental properties are required to disclose IN WRITING any known lead hazards and information on lead safety to the tenants. In Cleveland, have the right to sue for failure to provide disclosure. Contact CLASH for more info.

4. Under Ohio law, any tenant who is current in rent may give written notice to their landlord of conditions which materially affect health and safety. If landlord fails to correct the condition, tenants may put their rent on deposit with the municipal court until the conditions are corrected. In Cleveland, call the Cleveland Municipal court for more information on how to put your rent in escrow.  (216) 664-4295. 

5. In privately owned Federally assisted housing built before 1978, tenants are also covered by Lead Safe Housing Rule which offers additional protections. 

6. If you live in CMHA owned housing learn more about lead safe housing here