How does this rule apply to housing common areas such as stairwells, lobbies, and laundry rooms?
Common areas are those areas in multifamily housing structures that are used or are accessible to all occupants. The rule requires that sellers and lessors disclose available lead information about common areas so that families can be informed about preventive actions. Why doesn’t this rule affect housing built after 1978? Congress did not extend the law to housing built after 1978 because the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead-based paint in housing in 1978. Is my home unsafe if it contains lead-based paint? Approximately three-quarters of the nations housing built before 1978 contains some lead-based paint. This paint, if properly managed and maintained, poses little risk. If allowed to deteriorate, lead from paint can threaten the health of occupants, especially children under 6 years old. If families and building owners are aware of the presence of lead-based paint and the proper actions to take, most lead-based paint hazards can be managed. The EPA pamphlet
