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Covered properties must be registered with MDE and kept current through required renewals.
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Renting out a property or planning a renovation? NextDay Inspect offers Lead-Safe and Lead-Free testing in Maryland and Washington, DC. Get the right inspection for your property and your next step.
Most pre-1978 rental homes fall under MDE’s lead requirements. We help owners choose the appropriate inspection before a new tenant moves in.
Covered properties must be registered with MDE and kept current through required renewals.
Full Risk Reduction typically requires a passing dust inspection before each new tenancy, unless exempt.
Full Lead-Free certification is permanent and exempts the property from recurring registration fees and risk-reduction inspections.
Both options can meet applicable rental requirements. Lead-Safe and Lead-Free have different inspection criteria.
MDE inspection guideA newly painted room can still have lead-based paint underneath. Sanding, scraping or replacing painted components can release dust from those older layers.
Testing helps answer a specific question: does the paint being evaluated contain lead? Tell us what you plan to work on so we can discuss the right scope.
Mention these areas when requesting your quote. The locations shown below are examples, not findings about your property.
Painted sashes, sills and door frames can rub together, creating dust as paint wears.
Tell us which painted components you plan to sand, strip, repair or replace, even if they look freshly painted.
Weathered exterior paint can shed chips into nearby soil. Include exterior concerns in your inquiry.
Dust sampling depends on the inspection selected. Soil and drinking water testing are separate services.
Start with a conversation about your property and why you need testing.
Send the address, year built and any tenant move-in or renovation date.
Confirm the inspection type, certificate needed, price and report timing.
Provide access to the agreed areas. Testing follows the scope confirmed for your property.
Review the tested locations and results before deciding how to proceed with your project.
Explore an environmental sample report ↗ · Report content varies by service.
Tell us whether you’re renting out, buying or renovating. If you have a report requirement, share it before we arrange the visit.
What to know about testing, rental requirements and your results.
Contact us for a property-specific quote. We will confirm the testing scope, price, availability and expected report timing before the appointment.
No. Lead-Safe uses dust testing and required property checks. Limited Lead-Free requires interior surfaces to be free of lead-based paint, with any exterior lead paint intact and exterior reinspection every two years. Passing dust wipes alone does not establish Limited Lead-Free status.
Lead-Safe: meets applicable rental requirements when its inspection criteria are satisfied. Maintenance and applicable reinspection requirements continue; it does not establish that all paint is lead-free. Maryland’s separate Full Risk Reduction inspection is generally required at each tenant turnover.
Full Lead-Free: permanent certification, with no routine renewal. Limited Lead-Free: exterior reinspection every two years to keep the certificate valid.
They are distinct Maryland certificate types. Lead-Safe certification includes additional window and dust-sampling requirements. For rental turnover, ask us which certificate your property needs.
Lead testing is arranged directly with our team. Request a quote or email us with your property details, concerns and preferred timing.
No. Appearance alone cannot confirm lead content. Older paint may also be covered by newer layers. Testing addresses the surfaces included in the agreed scope.
No. Paint and drinking water require separate testing. If your concern is plumbing or tap water, ask about water testing when you contact us.
These services answer different questions. A paint inspection identifies lead-based paint; a risk assessment evaluates lead hazards; clearance testing evaluates conditions after certain work. Tell us if you need a report for a specific agency, rental requirement or renovation so we can confirm the appropriate service before you book.
Use the findings to plan the next step with an appropriately certified lead professional. Lead-Safe testing does not establish Lead-Free status. Lead-Free certification requires a qualifying paint survey.
More guidance: MDE rental inspections ↗