Cal. Civ. Code § 5:17-3.6
Reports and certificates
Operative Text
(a) Report: At the completion of all testing and evaluation, pursuant to this subchapter, an inspector/risk assessor shall provide the owner with a complete report of all testing performed and all results. 1. The report shall include: i. The date(s) of inspection; ii. The address of the building(s) and unit numbers (if applicable); iii. The date of construction of the building(s); iv. The name, address and telephone number of the owner; v. The name and signature of each inspector/risk assessor conducting testing (including the New Jersey Department of Health certification number); vi. The name and signature of each clearance technician collecting samples; vii. The name, address and telephone number of the firm employing the inspector/risk assessor(s) and clearance technician(s); viii. The name and address of each laboratory conducting analysis of collected samples; ix. Each testing device and/or sampling procedure employed and the serial number of any XRF device used; x. The precise locations of all components and surfaces on components tested or sampled; xi. All data collected using onsite testing devices; and xii. The results of all tests performed. 2. A copy of this report shall be made available to the Department upon request. (b) If, upon performance of an inspection of all painted surfaces in accordance with this chapter, a unit or building is determined to be lead-free, the certified lead evaluation firm shall issue certification on a form prescribed by the Department to the owner and, upon request, to any enforcing agency having jurisdiction to enforce lead safety standards at the premises. The certified lead evaluation firm shall report issuance of all such certifications to the Department in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Department. 1. The certificate or report shall be signed and dated and shall identify the building, common area(s) or dwelling unit(s) to which it applies. 2. In order to be certified as lead free, the paint shall be tested for lead content through XRF testing, paint chip analysis or another method of testing the lead content of paint permitted pursuant to this chapter. All such testing shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and the protocols established in the HUD Guidelines. (c) If, upon performance of an inspection and risk assessment in accordance with this chapter, a unit or building is determined to be free of lead-based paint hazards, the certified lead evaluation firm shall issue a certification on a form prescribed by the Department to the owner, and, upon request, to any enforcing agency having jurisdiction to enforce lead safety standards at the premises. The certified lead evaluation firm shall report issuance of all such certifications to the Department in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Department. 1. The certificate or report shall be signed and dated, shall identify the building, common area(s) and dwelling unit(s) to which it applies. The certificate or report also shall include a statement cautioning the owner regarding the need to perform on-going evaluation and maintenance to ensure that the painted surfaces remain in a hazard free condition. (d) Recommendations: If providing recommendations was part of the contract between the inspector/risk assessor and the owner or if the provision of a plan for lead hazard control work is required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:10-6.6, 5:15-4.2, 5:27-4.10, 5:28-2.1 or any other applicable maintenance code, the inspector/risk assessor, based on the results, shall outline for the owner options for lead hazard control work to address any lead hazards or potential lead hazards found.
N.J.A.C. § 5:17-3.6 establishes what must be documented and reported after lead testing and evaluation in residential buildings. Once testing is complete, a certified lead evaluation firm must provide the property owner with a detailed report covering inspection dates, building information, inspector credentials, testing methods, and all results. If a unit or building is found to be lead-free or free of lead-based paint hazards, the firm must issue a formal certification on a department-prescribed form and report that certification to the New Jersey Department of Health.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:17-3.6, property owners should expect to receive a comprehensive written report from their certified lead evaluation firm upon completion of any lead inspection or risk assessment, covering all required data points including inspector certification numbers and laboratory results. If the property qualifies as lead-free or free of lead-based paint hazards, owners should obtain the corresponding certification on the Department-prescribed form and retain it, as it may be requested by an enforcing agency. Owners should also be aware that a lead-hazard-free certification comes with a caution about ongoing evaluation and maintenance obligations to keep painted surfaces in a hazard-free condition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:17-3.6 gives tenants an interest in the outcomes of lead inspections conducted at their residence, since certifications issued under this provision identify the specific units or common areas to which they apply. Tenants may request a copy of a lead-free or lead-hazard-free certification from the certified lead evaluation firm or the enforcing agency having jurisdiction over the premises. Tenant-rights organizations or local housing agencies can help tenants understand what these reports and certifications mean for their living situation and what options may be available if proper documentation has not been provided.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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