Final answer:
Landlords must provide a lead-based paint disclosure for rental units such as single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums built before 1978, but not for commercial properties. The requirement comes from the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 and is based on the need to inform tenants about potential lead exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lead-based paint disclosure is necessary for tenants in properties built before 1978 to help prevent lead exposure, which can have serious health consequences. According to U.S. law, specifically the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, landlords must provide a lead-based paint disclosure for the following types of rental units if the construction was completed prior to 1978:
- Single-family homes
- Apartments
- Condominiums
Commercial properties are not required to receive such a disclosure because the regulation focuses on residential exposures to lead. It's important to note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides specific guidelines on lead-based paint disclosures, emphasizing the high prevalence of lead paint in older homes. As referenced statistics show, most homes before 1940 have lead-based paint, and a significant portion of homes built up to 1977 also contain lead-based paint.