When I see more regulations, I just have to ask, Why?
Lead in the human body is a bad thing. Most real estate agents in America (okay, I only really know this about Washington) are required to provide a booklet about the hazards of lead paint, and the necessity of following safe procedures when disturbing paint that may have lead in it, when we are involved with homes built prior to 1978.
So, I'm wondering why the people who create regulations have gone this next step: Renovation Certification. I know you're thinking 'to protect the public', but considering how long lead paint has been known to be a problem and how long we've been handing out lead paint books to renters and buyers, why is this new requirement just coming on the scene? So why now, is certification being pushed for renovation? (by the by, there isn't anything I've read that suggests the government is requiring lead paint testing or removal...yet)
Scanning their Lead in the News pages, I see something's going on. Is it real or hype? Have new measuring capabilities lead to realization of more poisoning or is it something more political than life-threatening. It won't matter, but knowing the change in the laws gives you a heads-up if you own, intend to buy, or renovate a home built before 1978.
I'm suggesting, if you own a home built before 1978, have it tested for the presence of lead paint. If it's there and you're not planning to move soon, you can start budgeting and planning for the cost of removing the lead paint. That way, when it is time to sell, you can whip out that shiny-no-lead-here certificate and speed the selling process. Of course, it might also be something you want to do just so you know your home isn't putting poison into your children's bodies.
If you are thinking about buying an older home, ask the seller to do the testing. It's a cost to them but they will benefit from the testing. If you can't get them to pay for it, then go ahead and include it in your round of inspections. If there is lead paint, you can figure the cost of remediation into the moving-in budget. Then, with that safely taken care of, you'll know you and your family will at least not be poisoning yourself with lead from generations past. You also will have that shiny-no-lead-here certificate to whip out when you want to sell.
Sometimes being ahead of the crowd is an advantage. Just imagine when the demand picks up you'll be able to say "I already did that". And won't you sleep just a little better knowing your indoor air quality is just that much improved?
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