Lead-Safe and Lead-Free Certifications: A Landlord's Guide

By Philly Rental License · 8/17/2026

Why lead certification matters

To protect young children from lead exposure, Philadelphia requires most rental units built before 1978 to be certified as either lead-safe or lead-free before they can be leased. The requirement is tied directly to the rental license: without the certification on file, an application can stall.

Lead-safe vs. lead-free

A lead-free certification means a certified inspector found no lead-based paint at all — a permanent status that does not need to be renewed. A lead-safe certification means any lead paint present is intact and not a hazard; it is valid for a set period and must be renewed. Which one applies depends entirely on the property and the inspection results.

Getting the inspection done

Certification has to come from an inspector accredited for lead work, and the results are filed with the City's Department of Public Health. Coordinating the right inspector, scheduling around tenants, and filing the paperwork correctly the first time saves weeks. When the certificate is in hand, it becomes part of the rental license record.