New lead laws have gone into effect with more to come in 2024.  How do the new lead laws apply to short-term rentals?

Neither the lead hazard mitigation laws nor disclosure requirements apply to temporary housing.  Make sure you are clear on the highlighted definitions below.

Temporary housing, which includes short-term rentals of 100 days or less with no renewal or extension to the same tenant, is exempt from lead disclosure laws.   These seasonal rentals are also exempt from lead mitigation laws.   However, if a pre-1978 property is rented as a short-term rental in the summer but rented to students or other tenants for eight or nine months during the rest of the year, the owner will be required to provide a Lessor’s Lead Disclosure to the longer-term tenants and must obtain a lead certificate. 

Share this one-page fact sheet from the Rhode Island Department of Health and the RIAR Lead Timeline with customers and clients to help them understand these requirements.

For more information, please contact the RIAR Legal Department at 401-432-6945 or email [email protected].