Cleveland Lead Safe Risk Assessment Services
Making Your Cleveland Lead Testing Easy!
Property owners in Cleveland are facing major changes to the Lead Safe Certificate program. As of October 18, 2024, the City of Cleveland no longer accepts a clearance exam as the first step toward earning a Lead Safe Certificate. The only way to begin the process is with a Lead Risk Assessment, performed by a licensed lead risk assessor. Tri-County Inspections makes this easier by coordinating the entire assessment for you and helping you understand what is required.
What Is a Lead Risk Assessment
A Lead Risk Assessment is an on site evaluation of your rental property that identifies the existence, nature, and severity of any lead hazards. This is not a simple dust wipe test. It is a full investigation of painted surfaces, building conditions, occupancy details, and environmental factors throughout the home. The assessment assumes all painted surfaces contain lead unless proven otherwise.
A complete lead risk assessment includes:
- Inspection of all interior and exterior painted surfaces
- Documentation of deteriorated paint
- Dust wipe sampling as required
- A written report outlining findings
- A required table listing recommended corrective actions (HUD Form 5.7 or its equivalent)
This assessment determines whether your property is eligible for a 2 year Lead Safe Certificate or whether remediation steps are required before a certificate can be issued.
After the Lead Test (Cleveland Lead Risk Assessment)
There are two general outcomes:
1. No Hazards Identified or Hazards Sufficiently Controlled
If no hazards are found and dust samples pass, the property may qualify for a 2 year Lead Safe Certificate. After the City of Cleveland reviews the assessment and confirms it is administratively and technically complete, the certificate is issued.
2. Hazards Identified
If hazards are identified, the assessment will include recommended corrective actions. The City of Cleveland will issue a citation that allows 90 days to begin remediation. Every 90 days, the property owner must demonstrate progress such as:
- Scheduling contractors
- Completing specific corrective actions
- Applying for grants or financing
Failure to make progress can lead to penalties, additional citations, or enforcement from Housing Court.
Tri-County can help you understand the findings and guide you through next steps.
Help With the Accela Application Portal
Submitting your Lead Risk Assessment through the City of Cleveland's Accela Portal is required to begin the certification process. Tri-County can help you navigate the portal so your documents are submitted correctly and without missing information that could delay approval.
Why Landlords Work With Tri-County Inspections:
- We help landlords stay compliant with the latest City of Cleveland rules
- We guide you through the Accela Portal
- We help you understand your results and what comes next
- We make sure you have a smooth, simple process from start to finish
Cleveland’s Lead Safe requirements have changed dramatically. Tri-County Inspections has been working with landlords and property owners throughout the process since the beginning and continues to help property owners adapt to the new rules and keep their rental properties safe and compliant.
The Old Lead Clearance Test Process
The videos below were posted at the early stages of Cleveland's Lead Clearance process in early 2022. The process has changed since then, but we keep these videos around to show the history and may provide updated videos when the opportunity arises. Of note: these videos document a process that was LESS strict. Read about why the City of Cleveland changed the lead testing standards to require more changes in process to reduce lead poisoning rates in Cleveland.
