Asbestos and Lead Information for Real Estate Professionals

For rental properties and child care facilities built before 1978, if the property is not in compliance with the Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law at the time of sale:

• The buyer must bring the property in full IRC Practices compliance within 60 days of closing, unless an extension of time is granted by the Commissioner of Health.

• A request for an extension may be made by emailing [email protected]. The Commissioner may grant the request only for good cause.

• Failure to bring the property into IRC Practices compliance carries a mandatory civil penalty.

Learn about about IRC Practices and the Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law

Asbestos

There is no required information about asbestos for sellers to provide to buyers.

Lead

The  Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law requires sellers to provide lead disclosure information and educational materials approved by the Health Department during real estate transactions for all pre-1978 housing, whether owner-occupied or rental. See the summary of seller's obligations in all types of real estate transactions

Seller Responsibilities: Pre-1978 Residential Rental Properties

These educational materials must be given to the buyer when selling a residential rental property:

• Vermont Lead Law: What Landlords and Child Care Providers Need to Do

• Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home

• Lead Hazards in Housing

• Don’t Spread Lead brochure

The following must be verified:

• Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices have been completed.

• A current IRC Practices Compliance Statement has been filed with the Health Department.

The following must be disclosed:

• Any information or documentation regarding the presence of lead paint, such as any testing that has been performed.

• If the property is currently subject to an assurance of discontinuance, administrative order or court order.

The Vermont Lead Law Disclosure and IRC Practices Verification Form is used before the execution of a purchase and sale agreement. Depending upon the circumstances of the sale, it may also be needed at the time of sale.

A separate federally required lead law disclosure form may be required.

Seller Responsibilities: Pre-1978 Owner-Occupied Single Family Homes (non-rental)

These educational materials must be given to the buyer when selling an owner-occupied single-family home (non-rental):

• Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home

• Lead Hazards in Housing

• Don’t Spread Lead brochure

Disclose any information or documentation regarding the presence of lead paint, such as any testing that has been performed.

The Vermont Lead Law Disclosure (Single Family Home) Form will rarely be needed. It is only for use when a single-family home is subject to an assurance of discontinuance, administrative order or court order and the terms of which are not completed.

Seller Responsibilities: Certified Lead-Free Pre-1978 Residential Structure

The Vermont Lead Law Disclosure (Lead-free Property) Form will be used infrequently. It is for use when residential housing has been certified lead-free by a Vermont-licensed Lead Inspector or Risk Assessor, who has conducted an inspection using an XRF machine, the results have been sent to the Health Department, and the Department has approved an exemption from IRC Practices.

Asbestos

Vermont law requires inspections for asbestos before a renovation or demolition and when the materials in question are going to be disturbed, including heating system upgrades.

Lead

Federal law requires that buyers are provided with a 10-day period to conduct a paint inspection or risk assessment for lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. The buyers may waive this inspection opportunity.

The State of Vermont does not require properties to be inspected for lead if the owners assume there is lead paint or coatings and treat the property accordingly.

Asbestos

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are only dangerous when they are disturbed or handled incorrectly. Asbestos is not required by law to be removed from a home or building unless a demolition or renovation is to occur or if the ACMs are damaged.

Lead

Lead is not required by law to be removed from a home or building unless due to a court order or similar legal action.

Asbestos

Find a licensed asbestos contractor

Lead

Find a licensed lead contractor

Asbestos

If you want to know whether there are asbestos-containing materials in a home, building, structure or material, hire a Vermont-licensed asbestos inspector to conduct an inspection.

Lead

Lead-Based Paint

If you want to know whether lead-based paint is on a home, building or other structure, hire a Vermont-certified lead inspector or risk assessor to conduct a lead inspection or risk assessment. A lead inspection determines the presence or absence of lead-based paint on painted or coated surfaces. A risk assessment identifies lead hazards from deteriorated paint, dust and bare soil, and ways to control the lead hazards.

Drinking Water

Test kits for lead in drinking water can be purchased from the Health Department Laboratory. Find out more about testing for lead in drinking water

Asbestos

Under Vermont law, only licensed contractors are allowed to perform asbestos abatement activities and must follow the regulations regarding the handling and disposing of asbestos-containing materials.

Unsafe handling of asbestos-containing materials often leads to the need for asbestos cleanup by a Vermont-licensed asbestos contractor.

Lead

Under Vermont law, contractors are required to use lead-safe work practices.

Unsafe work practices that disturb lead-based paint will create lead hazards (see Section 5). Under Vermont law, if lead hazards are created in any building or structure, you will be responsible for the cleanup that will require you to hire a Vermont-licensed lead abatement contractor.

Prohibited practices may be allowed if specifically authorized in writing by the Health Department. Depending on the property and the work being performed, Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices or Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) certification may be required.