R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 42-128.1 § 42-128.1-7
Lead hazard mitigation rules
Operative Text
The housing resources commission shall adopt, no later than April 1, 2003, rules: (1) For housing constructed prior to 1978, which require property owners to certify at the time of transfer that the dwelling and/or premises meet the requirements for lead hazard mitigation or lead hazard abatement, or that the party or parties acquiring the property are notified of the potential lead hazards, and at the time of rental of units that the requirements for meeting the appropriate standards have been met; (2) For a lead hazard mitigation standard; (3) For any training, certification, or licensing necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter; (4) For a process to receive, investigate, and decide whether the correction of a lead hazard, pursuant to § 42-128.1-8(a)(3) and (d) was satisfactory. These rules shall establish an expeditious procedure to determine whether the allegation of unsatisfactory correction has merit. The process may be integrated with or make use of the technical assistance service provided for in § 42-128.1-13; (5) For a process to grant a variance to § 42-128.1-8(a)(3), (a)(5), and (b), where there exists a hardship as to financing lead hazard mitigation, or where materials, personnel, or weather delays the mitigation completion; and (6) Effective July 1, 2025, the department of health will assume responsibility for § 42-128.1-7. The rules promulgated pursuant to this section shall remain in full force and effect and shall be enforced by the department of health until such time as the rules are properly transferred to the department of health's title within the Rhode Island code of regulations.
Rhode Island General Laws § 42-128.1-7 directed the housing resources commission to establish a comprehensive set of rules governing lead hazard mitigation in pre-1978 housing, with a deadline of April 1, 2003. These rules cover property transfer disclosures, rental unit standards, training and certification requirements, processes for reviewing disputed lead hazard corrections, and variance procedures for hardship situations. As of July 1, 2025, the Rhode Island Department of Health assumed responsibility for administering and enforcing these rules, which remain in full force during the regulatory transition.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 42-128.1-7, property owners of pre-1978 housing are generally expected to certify compliance with lead hazard mitigation or abatement standards at the time of property transfer or rental, or to ensure that buyers and tenants receive proper notification of potential lead hazards. Compliant operators typically maintain current certifications, use trained and licensed personnel for any mitigation work, and keep documentation that demonstrates the applicable standards have been met. Since July 1, 2025, the Rhode Island Department of Health oversees enforcement of these rules, so operators generally direct compliance inquiries and submissions to that agency.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 42-128.1-7 establishes rights for renters and buyers of pre-1978 housing, including the right to receive certification that lead hazard mitigation standards have been met or to be notified of potential lead hazards before a rental or sale is completed. If a tenant believes that a required lead hazard correction was performed unsatisfactorily, the rules provide a formal process to raise that concern and have it investigated. Since July 1, 2025, the Rhode Island Department of Health administers these protections, and tenants may contact that agency or a local tenant-rights organization to learn about available complaint and review processes.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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