Do Illinois landlords need a lead inspection? (2026)

1. Before every pre-1978 lease: the lead brochure

Before entering into a residential lease, all owners of regulated facilities built before 1978 must give the prospective tenant a copy of an informational brochure on lead poisoning. The disclosure and brochure must be consistent with the federal rule, 40 CFR 745 subpart F. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 845.25(b)

That federal rule means the EPA pamphlet, a Lead Warning Statement in the lease, disclosure of known lead-based paint and hazards, available records, and signed copies kept for 3 years. EPA Full checklist: federal lead paint disclosure for landlords.

2. If you ever got a mitigation notice

An owner who received a mitigation notice under Section 9 of the Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act must, before signing a new lease for that unit, give the prospective tenant written notice that a lead hazard was previously identified there. You can meet this by handing over a copy of the inspection report, the mitigation notice and the later certificate of compliance. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 845.25(a)

Deadlines and next steps: Illinois lead mitigation notice guide.

Who to hire and how to verify a license: Illinois lead inspector vs. abatement contractor.

3. When a contractor does lead mitigation or abatement

No more than 60 days before starting lead mitigation or abatement, the lead abatement contractor must give the owner and the tenant the lead pamphlet, and either get a written acknowledgment or get a USPS certificate of mailing at least 7 days before work begins. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 845.25(c)

4. Before repairs or painting

Paid work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing falls under the EPA RRP rule. Rental owners and managers are among the firms that need Lead-Safe certification if their own crews do the work. EPA Read the EPA RRP rule for landlords.

Chicago is hazard-control, not a certificate

Chicago Municipal Code Ch. 7-4 requires owners to control lead hazards when present. It is a hazard-order framework, not a periodic rental lead certificate. Chicago lead regulations (CDPH)

City pages

Illinois statewide · Chicago · Naperville · Evanston · Aurora · Joliet · Elgin · Peoria · Waukegan · Illinois landlord checklist (PDF)

Track every unit's lease dates free Tools for property managers

Do Illinois landlords need a lead inspection?

Not on a routine schedule. We found no statewide or city rental lead certificate program in Illinois, Chicago, Naperville or Evanston. Inspections are triggered, for example by an elevated blood lead case or a hazard order. Disclosure at each pre-1978 lease is still required (77 Ill. Adm. Code 845.25).

What must Illinois landlords give tenants about lead?

Before a lease on housing built before 1978, a lead poisoning information brochure, with disclosure consistent with the federal rule 40 CFR 745 subpart F (77 Ill. Adm. Code 845.25(b)).

What if my Illinois rental had a lead mitigation notice?

Before a new lease for that unit, give the prospective tenant written notice that a lead hazard was previously identified. A copy of the inspection report, mitigation notice and certificate of compliance satisfies this (77 Ill. Adm. Code 845.25(a)).