24 C.F.R. § 35.620
§ 35.620 Multifamily insured property constructed before 1960. (24 CFR Part 35)
Operative Text
Except as provided in § 35.630, the following requirements apply to multifamily insured property constructed before 1960: (a) Risk assessment. Before the issuance of a firm commitment the sponsor shall conduct a risk assessment in accordance with § 35.1320(b). (b) Interim controls. (1) The sponsor shall conduct interim controls in accordance with § 35.1330 to treat the lead-based paint hazards identified in the risk assessment. Interim controls are considered completed when clearance is achieved in accordance with § 35.1340. (2) The sponsor shall complete interim controls before the issuance of the firm commitment or interim controls may be made a condition of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) firm commitment, with sufficient repair or rehabilitation funds escrowed at initial endorsement of the FHA insured loan. (c) Ongoing lead-based paint maintenance activities. Before the issuance of the firm commitment, the sponsor shall agree to incorporate ongoing lead-based paint maintenance into regular building operations and maintenance activities in accordance with § 35.1355(a).
Under 24 CFR Part 35 § 35.620, multifamily properties with FHA-insured financing that were built before 1960 are subject to a specific sequence of lead-based paint obligations before a firm commitment can be issued. A risk assessment must be completed first, followed by interim controls to address any identified hazards — with clearance testing confirming those controls are effective. Ongoing lead-based paint maintenance must also be formally incorporated into the property's regular operations as a condition of moving forward with FHA financing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and sponsors of pre-1960 multifamily properties seeking FHA-insured financing generally complete a risk assessment, carry out interim controls to address identified lead-based paint hazards, and confirm clearance before or as a condition of the firm commitment under § 35.620. If interim controls cannot be finished before the firm commitment is issued, compliant operators typically ensure that sufficient funds are escrowed at initial loan endorsement to cover the required work. Sponsors also document a formal commitment to integrate ongoing lead-based paint maintenance into routine building operations before the firm commitment stage is reached.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of pre-1960 multifamily properties with FHA-insured financing have an interest in knowing that § 35.620 requires sponsors to address lead-based paint hazards and maintain ongoing controls as part of the financing process. If a tenant believes these obligations have not been met, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with HUD, raising the issue with a local housing authority, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization familiar with federal lead-based paint regulations. Keeping records of any communications or observed conditions related to lead paint can be useful when exploring these options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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