ATTENTION LANDLORDS: If You Own 1-4 Unit Residential Properties in New Jersey Built Before 1978 – READ THIS

On Sep 9, 2024

As of July 22, 2024, any 1–4-unit residential property in New Jersey built prior to December 31, 1977 must be tested for lead paint. If lead paint is found, landlords/owners are required to abate/remediate the unit for lead paint BEFORE it is rented or occupied by future tenants. However, there is a state-funded program available to help cover the costs of removing lead-based paint from residential properties built before 1978. The New Jersey Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP), which is administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA), is backed by a $180 million federal government grant. Grantees, who may be nonprofits or municipalities, are working to remediate or abate lead-based hazards from residential properties of low-to-moderate income households where lead paint has been found. Income eligibility is determined by the occupant household, NOT the landlord/owner.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Those residing in or owning a residential property in New Jersey built prior to 1978 must have their property tested for lead to determine initial program eligibility. Resident/tenant applicants must meet low-to-moderate income qualifications for their county which is calculated as 80% of the area median income in their respective counties. Landlords not living in a program-eligible 1–4-unit residential property may only complete the LRAP application on behalf of household income-qualified tenants. In addition, landlords must provide all of the program documentation required of tenant applicants. Landlord income eligibility cannot be used for this program.

WHY ACT NOW?

If lead-based paint hazards are identified, property owners are required to cover the costs to remediate the hazards through abatement or lead-based paint hazard control mechanisms.

The NJDCA LRAP can help with this process. For specific household applicant eligibility and online application details regarding applying for LRAP learn more at https://leadabatement.nj.gov/.

Disclaimer: Sponsored content articles do not reflect the opinions of New Jersey Business Magazine or the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.

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