Renting With Kids in an Older Home? How to Check for Lead Hazards

By the MycoTest News Desk · Reviewed for accuracy by MycoTest's environmental testing specialists

Moving into a rental home built before 1978 with young children requires extra attention to one invisible danger: lead. Homes constructed before the federal ban on lead-based paint may still contain lead in old paint layers, window sills, door frames, and the dust that settles on floors and surfaces. For children under six, even small amounts of lead dust can cause serious developmental problems.

The good news is that you can take practical steps to identify lead hazards before they become a health concern. Whether you are signing a new lease or already living in an older rental, knowing how to check for lead puts you in control of your family's safety.

Why Older Rentals Pose a Lead Risk

Lead-based paint was common in American homes until 1978. The older the home, the more likely it contains lead paint — the EPA estimates that about 87 percent of homes built before 1940 have some lead-based paint. Over time, this paint deteriorates. It chips, peels, and breaks down into fine dust that settles on floors, windowsills, and toys. Children crawling on floors, putting hands in their mouths, or chewing on painted surfaces can ingest lead without anyone noticing.

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Know Your Rights as a Renter

Federal law requires landlords to disclose known lead-based paint hazards before you sign a lease for any home built before 1978. You should receive:

A lead disclosure form stating what the landlord knows about lead paint in the property
A copy of the EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home"
Any available records of lead inspections or risk assessments

If your landlord did not provide these documents, ask for them in writing. Keep in mind that "no known lead" does not mean "no lead present" — it simply means no testing has been done or reported.

Visual Signs of Lead Paint Problems

Walk through your rental and look for warning signs that lead paint may be deteriorating:

Chipping or peeling paint on walls, ceilings, doors, or window frames
Chalking paint that leaves a powdery residue when touched
Paint rubbing off on windows and doors due to friction
Dust accumulation on windowsills, especially in older double-hung windows
Visible paint chips on floors near walls, windows, or doors

Pay special attention to areas where children spend the most time: bedrooms, play areas, and any space where they might touch painted surfaces.

How to Test for Lead Dust

Visual inspection tells you if paint is deteriorating, but it cannot confirm whether lead is actually present. The most practical way to check for lead in a rental is to test the dust on surfaces where children are most likely to come into contact with it.

Lead dust wipe testing involves collecting a sample from floors, windowsills, or other surfaces using a special wipe. You send the sample to an accredited laboratory, and results typically come back within a few days. This method detects lead dust at levels the EPA considers hazardous — giving you actionable information about whether your home needs attention.

Focus your testing on:

Floors in children's bedrooms and play areas
Windowsills and window troughs (the groove where the window closes)
Areas near doors with painted frames
Any room with visible paint deterioration

What to Do If You Find Lead

If test results show elevated lead dust levels, you have several options:

Notify your landlord in writing. In most states, landlords are required to address lead hazards, especially when children under six live in the home.
Request professional remediation. Proper lead abatement involves certified contractors who can safely remove or encapsulate lead paint.
Increase cleaning in the meantime. Wet-mopping floors and wiping surfaces with a damp cloth can reduce lead dust levels temporarily.
Keep children away from affected areas until repairs are made.

Document everything — photos of deteriorating paint, copies of test results, and written communication with your landlord. This protects you legally and helps ensure the problem gets resolved.

Simple Steps to Reduce Exposure Now

While waiting for testing or repairs, these habits help minimize lead exposure:

Wash children's hands frequently, especially before meals
Wet-clean floors and surfaces weekly — avoid dry sweeping or dusting
Keep toys and pacifiers off the floor
Remove shoes at the door to avoid tracking in contaminated soil
Feed children a diet rich in calcium and iron, which may reduce lead absorption

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my rental has lead paint without testing?

You cannot confirm lead paint without testing, but you can estimate the likelihood based on the home's age. Homes built before 1940 have the highest probability of containing lead paint. Look for chipping, peeling, or chalking paint as signs that any existing lead paint may be creating dust hazards.

Can my landlord refuse to test for lead or make repairs?

Landlord obligations vary by state, but federal law requires disclosure of known lead hazards. Many states have additional laws requiring landlords to address lead problems when young children live in the home. Check your state's tenant rights resources or consult a local housing authority if your landlord is unresponsive.

Is lead dust dangerous even if my child does not eat paint chips?

Yes. Lead dust is actually the most common source of childhood lead exposure. Children can ingest lead dust from normal hand-to-mouth behavior, crawling on floors, or touching contaminated surfaces. Even invisible amounts of lead dust can accumulate in a child's body over time.

Protecting your children from lead hazards starts with knowing what you are dealing with. If you are renting an older home, the MycoTest DIY Lead Dust Wipe Kit provides an affordable, straightforward way to test the surfaces where your kids spend the most time. With certified lab results in hand, you will know exactly whether action is needed — and have documentation to share with your landlord if it is.