Westchester County Highlights New State Lead Rental Rental Registry to Protect Children and Families
Registration Required for Some Property Owners in 10550, 10801, 10701 and 10705
To help prevent lead poisoning in young children and pregnant women, New York State is establishing a Lead Rental Registry that requires certain property owners in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Yonkers to register their properties at Lead Safe NY.
While New York State continues to finalize program regulations, registration is now required and participation is mandatory. The requirement applies to residential buildings with two or more units — including owner-occupied properties — that were built before 1980 and are located in the following ZIP codes: 10550 in Mount Vernon; 10801 in New Rochelle; and 10701 and 10705 in Yonkers.
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause irreversible damage, including learning and behavioral problems and permanent loss of cognitive ability. Lead exposure is entirely preventable, yet it continues to place children at risk.
Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “There is no safe level of lead, and the health effects can be devastating. We are hopeful that these new regulations will help the next generation of children avoid lead exposure.”
Registration is the first step toward mandatory visual inspections, which will be conducted every three years to certify that rental units are free from lead hazards. If deteriorated paint is identified, it must be remediated and followed by a clearance inspection. If no deteriorated paint is found, additional testing — known as dust wipe sampling — will be performed to confirm that no lead dust hazards are present. All inspections and testing must be conducted by EPA-certified lead inspectors.
Last month, the Westchester County Department of Health notified thousands of affected property owners by letter and email. Property owners are required to inform their tenants, as access to individual apartments will be necessary once visual inspections are scheduled.
The Lead Rental Registry is launching in 25 communities across the following counties: Albany, Broome, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Jefferson, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schenectady, Ulster and Westchester. Through the Leading in Lead Prevention Pilot Program, New York State has allocated $20 million to assist property owners with lead paint remediation in designated communities.
For more information, call 914-813-5240 or email