The State of New Jersey passed legislation (the 2022 New Jersey Lead Safe Certification Law) requiring property owners who rent units in buildings that were built before 1978, to schedule lead inspections with a certified municipal inspector or private certified contractor and receive a lead-safe certificate by July 22, 2024. Properties must be reinspected every three years, or upon tenant turnover, whichever is earlier.
In Hoboken, property owners can schedule lead-safe certification visual inspections with a certified municipal inspector or hire a New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) certified lead evaluation contractor.
City inspection appointments can be made by emailing [email protected]. Fees for a City inspection, are as follows:
- 2 bedrooms or less: $125
- 3 bedrooms: $150
- 4 bedrooms: $175
- 5 or more bedrooms: $200
- Re-inspection: $100
Private contractors chosen to provide lead evaluation and/or abatement services must be certified by the NJ DCA. A list of approved contractors can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_lead/ld_eval_contrs.pdf
If a licensed lead evaluation contractor is used, a copy of the lead-safe certificate must be provided to the municipal inspector and the municipal clerk, by emailing it to: [email protected].
A list of exempt properties can be found here: Exempt property listings.
If lead-based paint hazards are identified during inspection, the owner is required to remediate that hazard and the unit must be re-inspected before a lead-safe certification can be issued. Property owners who do not remedy an identified hazard within 30 days of inspection are subject to penalties.
According to the NJ DCA, there are significant dangers to having lead-based paint in buildings, especially to children, and it can potentially cause permanent health issues. The most common way young children are exposed to lead is by putting lead-based paint chips in their mouth or by inhaling dust in and around their home or apartment.
Learn more about the dangers of lead-based paint and the NJ inspection certification law here: https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/resources/leadpaint.shtml.
Property owners or landlords with further concerns or questions can call (201) 420-2000 Ext. 5201 or email: [email protected].
