NYC lead paint Annual Notice: Jan. 1–16 delivery, Feb. 15 return

Who must send it

Per HPD’s Annual Notice FAQ, the owner of a building built before January 1, 1960 that is a multiple dwelling (3 or more units) or a 1–2 unit private dwelling with a tenant-occupied unit (HPD). HPD’s Local Law 1 page also covers multiple dwellings built Jan. 1, 1960 to Jan. 1, 1978 if the owner knows there is lead-based paint, and co-op/condo units rented out to tenants (HPD). Units granted an HPD Lead-Free Exemption don’t need annual notices or investigations (HPD).

Step by step

1. Jan. 1–16: deliver. Use one of the HPD-approved forms: Protect Your Child from Lead Poisoning and Window Falls Annual Notice or Annual Notice for Prevention of Lead-Based Paint Hazards – Inquiry Regarding Child.
2. English and Spanish, in duplicate. Give two copies of each language: one for the tenant to keep and one to return. Tell tenants where and how to return it.
3. By Feb. 15: collect. For units that don’t respond, document it and notify the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (Healthy Homes, 125 Worth Street, Sixth Floor, CN58, New York, NY 10013) in writing, and keep a copy.
4. No response and no knowledge? Inspect the unit at reasonable times, on reasonable notice, to find out whether a young child lives there. If reasonable attempts between Feb. 16 and March 1 fail to gain access, notify the Health Department in writing.
5. Child under 6 in the unit: investigate. Do a visual investigation at least once a year of every painted surface in every room, including closets and cabinets, plus common areas such as hallways, stairwells and lobbies. Give the tenant a copy of the results. A professional isn’t required, but HPD strongly recommends HUD’s online visual assessment training.
6. Fix peeling paint safely. Where you have no test results, presume the paint contains lead and use an appropriately certified contractor and safe work practices.

All steps from the HPD Annual Notice and Investigations page.

Records to keep

• Proof the notice was delivered, and each completed notice returned by a tenant.
• The annual visual investigation summary, and documentation of any work done with safe work practices.

HPD says Local Law 1 records must be kept for at least 10 years, and HPD audits them (HPD). HPD publishes sample delivery and investigation forms on its Annual Notice page. Questions: HPD Lead Information Line, 212-863-5501.

Child under 6 found? There’s a July 1, 2027 deadline

The Annual Notice also starts the clock on abatement-level work in child-under-6 units. See NYC lead turnover and child-under-6 work (July 1, 2027).

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When is the NYC lead paint Annual Notice due?

Owners must deliver it to each tenant between January 1 and January 16 and collect the completed notice by February 15 (NYC HPD).

What languages must the NYC Annual Notice be in?

At least English and Spanish, delivered in duplicate: one copy for the tenant to keep and one to return to the owner (NYC HPD).

What if a tenant does not return the Annual Notice?

Document the non-response and notify the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in writing. If the owner does not otherwise know whether a young child lives there, the owner must inspect the unit on reasonable notice, and notify the Health Department if reasonable attempts between Feb. 16 and March 1 fail to gain access (NYC HPD).

How long must NYC landlords keep lead paint records?

HPD says owners must retain Local Law 1 inspection and remediation records for at least 10 years.