If you own a rental property in Vermont that was built before 1978, lead paint is something you need to take seriously. Vermont has specific requirements for rental housing built before 1978, including annual Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices.
These requirements are designed to identify deteriorating paint and help prevent lead hazards before they become a problem for tenants.
Sugarhouse Property is IRC certified and can perform the required annual IRC Practices inspection for qualifying Vermont rental properties. We can also help property owners address maintenance and repair needs identified during the inspection.
Why 1978 Matters
Lead was commonly used in residential paint until 1978. Because a large percentage of Vermont’s housing was built before then, many older rental properties may contain lead-based paint.
Paint that is intact and properly maintained does not necessarily create a lead hazard. The concern increases when painted surfaces deteriorate or when renovation, repair, or maintenance work disturbs lead-based paint and creates dust or debris.
For this reason, Vermont has specific requirements for rental housing and child care facilities built before 1978.
What Are Vermont’s IRC Practices?
IRC stands for Inspection, Repair and Cleaning.
Vermont requires owners of qualifying pre-1978 rental housing and child care facilities to perform IRC Practices each year. The work must be completed by an IRC-certified person, and the owner must file an annual compliance statement confirming that the requirements were completed.
The annual process includes several responsibilities:
- Inspecting painted surfaces for chipping and peeling paint
- Checking for paint chips on the property’s grounds
- Blocking access to areas that require repair
- Confirming window well inserts are installed in pre-1978 wooden sash windows
- Performing specialized cleaning in common areas and at tenant turnover
- Providing required lead information to new tenants
- Maintaining the required notice for occupants
- Completing and filing the annual compliance statement
These requirements apply to the property every year unless the property qualifies for an approved exemption.
Sugarhouse Property Can Perform Your IRC Inspection
Keeping up with Vermont’s lead requirements can be another responsibility landlords have to manage throughout the year.
Sugarhouse Property is IRC certified, allowing us to perform IRC Practices inspections for qualifying pre-1978 rental housing.
During an inspection, we look for deteriorated paint and other conditions covered by Vermont’s IRC requirements. If an issue is identified, we can explain what needs to be addressed and help coordinate the appropriate repair.
We can also assist with the ongoing maintenance of the property, giving landlords one local company to call for many of the issues that can arise during and after an IRC inspection.
What Happens When Deteriorated Paint Is Found?
Finding deteriorated paint does not necessarily mean the entire property needs to be stripped or have all of its paint removed.
The first step is to prevent access to areas that need repair. The required repair work must then be completed using the appropriate lead-safe practices.
Vermont requires deteriorated paint identified through IRC Practices to be repaired within 30 days, and certain repairs must be performed by workers with the appropriate Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) credentials.
Sugarhouse can help identify the maintenance issue during the IRC inspection and coordinate the next step with the appropriately licensed professional when required.
IRC Inspection vs. Lead Paint Inspection
The terms “IRC inspection” and “lead paint inspection” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.
An IRC Practices inspection focuses on the requirements Vermont places on qualifying pre-1978 rental housing and child care facilities. It includes looking for deteriorated paint and completing the other required inspection, repair, and cleaning activities.
A full lead-based paint inspection or risk assessment is a different type of evaluation. Vermont law defines a risk assessment as an on-site investigation by a licensed lead-based paint inspector-risk assessor to determine the existence, nature, severity, and location of lead hazards.
Does Every Pre-1978 Rental Need an IRC Inspection?
Generally, Vermont requires IRC Practices for rental housing and child care facilities constructed before 1978.
There are specific exemptions and exceptions under Vermont law. For example, a property may qualify for an exemption from the lead regulations if a written inspection report from a licensed lead-based paint inspector-risk assessor establishes that all accessible surfaces are free of lead-based paint and the Vermont Department of Health approves the exemption.
Simply remodeling an older property does not automatically make it exempt.
If you’re unsure whether your rental property is subject to Vermont’s requirements, it’s worth determining that before assuming an inspection is unnecessary.
What Certification Does a Landlord Need?
A landlord does not necessarily have to perform the IRC inspection personally.
Vermont allows a landlord to become IRC certified or hire someone who is certified to perform the required IRC Practices. IRC certification is currently valid for five years before the training must be renewed.
For landlords who don’t want to handle the inspection themselves, hiring an IRC-certified company can simplify the process.
Sugarhouse Property can perform the annual IRC Practices inspection and help keep the property on track with its maintenance requirements.
Renovations and Repairs Require Additional Care
Lead requirements become particularly important when work is being performed on an older rental property.
Painting, drywall work, window work, carpentry, and other renovation or maintenance activities can disturb lead-based paint. Vermont’s RRPM requirements establish lead-safe procedures for work that disturbs lead-based paint in target housing. Compensated RRPM work must be performed by a licensed RRPM supervisor or under the required direct, on-site supervision.
This is an important distinction for landlords planning renovations. An IRC certification does not by itself mean that a company can perform every type of lead-disturbing renovation or repair.
When additional RRPM credentials are required, Sugarhouse can help determine what type of professional is needed and coordinate the work accordingly.
What Do Landlords Need to Provide Tenants?
Vermont landlords have specific responsibilities when renting qualifying pre-1978 housing.
Before a lease begins, tenants must receive the required lead hazard information and a copy of the owner’s most recent RRPM compliance statement. Vermont also requires landlords to provide the approved lead information pamphlet to tenants.
Landlords should keep copies of their compliance documentation and make sure their annual requirements are completed on schedule.
Annual Compliance Matters
IRC compliance isn’t a one-time inspection.
For qualifying properties, the process needs to be completed every year, followed by the required compliance statement. If deteriorated paint is found, the necessary repairs must be addressed and documented appropriately.
For landlords with multiple properties, keeping track of inspection dates, repairs, tenant turnover, and compliance paperwork can become difficult.
A local property services company can help keep these responsibilities organized and make sure maintenance issues don’t get overlooked.
What Should Vermont Landlords Do Now?
If you own a rental property built before 1978, start by determining whether the property is subject to Vermont’s IRC requirements.
If it is, make sure you have an IRC-certified person performing the annual inspection and that your compliance statement is filed as required.
If the inspection identifies deteriorated paint or other maintenance issues, address them promptly using the appropriate lead-safe procedures and properly licensed professionals.
And if you’re planning a renovation, don’t assume that ordinary painting or construction practices are appropriate for an older rental property. Lead-safe requirements may apply before work begins.
Sugarhouse Property Can Help
Sugarhouse Property is IRC certified and provides IRC Practices inspections for qualifying pre-1978 rental properties in Vermont.
Our team can inspect the property, identify maintenance concerns, explain what needs to be addressed, and help coordinate the appropriate repairs. Because we also provide property maintenance, renovations, construction, and property management services, we can continue helping with the property after the inspection.
For landlords who don’t live near their Vermont rental properties, having a local company handle the inspection and help coordinate follow-up work can make ongoing compliance much easier.
If you own a pre-1978 Vermont rental property and need an IRC Practices inspection, contact Sugarhouse Property to schedule an inspection or discuss your property’s requirements.