Cleveland Lead Tester Video 1: What is the Lead Clearance Test Process (CliffsNotes)

If you're looking for a Cleveland lead tester, chances are you have to be slightly confused about the whole Lead Safe Certification process in Cleveland.  Why? Because it's confusing. At Tri-County Inspections we've put together three short videos, because if you're like us - short is just the right amount of time for your attention span. We also added a page on the website for frequently asked questions "How Do I Get Lead Certifications on My Cleveland Properties?"

Mike Vakos: Cleveland Lead Tester

The videos, made by your Cleveland lead tester, Mike Vakos, owner and head home inspector at Tri-County Inspections, are designed as a three-part series.

The video on this page is Part 1, the CliffsNotes version (point of reference for landlords under 40, those of us over 40 didn't have the internet in high school when we were tested on complex reading assignments Shakespeare and Mark Twain. CliffsNotes were a small booklet to explain the content in a more direct and understandable terms because we couldn't just "Google it."). This video will tell you a brief explanation of what the Lead Clearance testing is and whether or not you need it.

In Part 2, the Visual Inspection .....

And lastly, Part 3, the test swabs .....

As of March 2021 the City of Cleveland is requiring all landlords to have a lead clearance test every two years. If you own a property in the city of Cleveland and you have tenants living in there, you have to get a lead clearance test every two years, per unit. If you have a duplex, two units, you have to get a lead clearance test for both units and they both have to pass. If you own over 20 units then check out this chart to see how many units must be randomly tested.

Two Parts to the Cleveland Lead Testing Process:

Part 1: Exterior Visual Assessment.

Part 2: Interior Dust Swipe Samples.

See our frequently asked questions page for more details. The most common questions are relating to evicting tenants and selling the property:

You can not evict a tenant unless you have passed your lead clearance test.

This we know for sure.

Can you sell the property without getting a lead clearance test? As of July 2022, it would appear that not having a lead clearance test will not legally keep the house from selling but if you're passed due for a lead clearance test you may need that certificate to transfer title.

How Many Units Do I Need to Get Tested?

If you manage over 20 units in Cleveland, open our pdf: Minimum Number of Randomly Sampled Residential Units or Room Equivalents To Be Tested, to determine how many units to be tested in order to achieve 95% level of confidence. For example, if you own 35 units in Cleveland, 27 need to be tested.

Cleveland Lead Testing Schedule

Contact Mike Vakos, Cleveland home inspector and owner of Tri-County Inspections for your home inspection services:

• Lite Home Inspection for Investors
• Cleveland Lead Testing
• Commercial Inspection
• Full Home Inspection
• Pre-Listing Home Inspection
• Radon Inspection
• Mold Testing