It’s Important…and it’s the Law

In 2011, Philadelphia City Council passed an ordinance regarding lead paint disclosure and certification of properties built before 1978 (the last year before lead paint was banned) to be rented to tenants with children six years or younger.

Leading up to the ordinance, PCCY worked with council members to increase awareness of how devastating toxic lead exposure is for very young children, with the tragic consequences of poisoning lasting a lifetime.

It was a good start, but not good enough to protect all kids. That’s why PCCY was invited to join Mayor Kenney’s Advisory Group on Lead Poisoning that made key recommendations including expanding the law to require all rental units, not just those for children six and under, to secure lead-free certification.

As the work continues, we wanted to speak to a Philly landlord about their experience with making their property safer for kids. We found Jennifer Thompson, who rents her single family property in Juniata.
In addition to being a landlord, Jennifer is also a realtor. So when her office first got wind of the 2011 lead law, she recalls feeling a bit scared about how landlords would react, “just because it was something new. When you try to enforce new things you always get a little bit of pushback.”

As a landlord herself, however, she didn’t hesitate.
“A lot of my decision to get the property tested for lead had to do with being a mom. I have three kids so first and foremost I thought about what I would want for my kid.”

She doesn’t fancy herself an expert on lead poisoning but knows how devastating lead exposure can be. So when she found out a potential new tenant had a young child, she took the initiative and brought it up first. 

“I actually told the tenant that I was getting the property tested because I knew she had a child that was under six years old. She was happy.”

Jennifer takes her responsibilities as a landlord seriously, especially when it comes to children. “We have to know what we’re required to do. Sometimes a tenant might not even know their rights so it’s our job to inform them. It’s really important. When it comes to kids, lead testing is probably the most important thing.”

Lead testing, which she recalls being a couple hundred dollars, is part of the cost of doing business, she says. So too, she says, is making lead contaminated homes safe. While remediation isn’t cheap, Jennifer says most landlords should have the resources they need, much like they do for when there are damages after a tenant moves out. 

“If landlords really knew how easy it could be then I think more landlords would cooperate,” explained Jennifer. “I think if there was more information, more enforcement as well, but more information for landlords saying, “Look, it’s very simple. It doesn’t have to be a painful process—we can make it really easy.” I think the City would get more cooperation.”

For holdouts, her advice is simple.

“If a landlord didn’t want to get their properties tested, I’d tell them it’s important and it’s the law.”    

Every tenant with young children would want a savvy and conscientious landlord like Jennifer but not every tenant can be so lucky. The work to make children safe from lead poisoning in their homes won’t be done until every child is protected—and that means working toward a lead-free Philadelphia.

We can make prevention that simple, one home at a time.

CLICK HERE for more information about the City’s Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification law.