Sales contracts need the lead disclosure ATTACHED; agent must ensure compliance
Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
Federal law requires a lead-based paint disclosure for residential properties built:
Answer: A. The federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X) requires lead-based paint disclosure for housing built before 1978.
Question 2 of 5
A buyer purchases a 1972 home. The sales contract lacked the lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet. What is the legal consequence?
Answer: C. Pre-1978 housing requires the federal lead disclosure package. Violations bring federal fines (per violation) and civil exposure — including treble damages in knowing violations. Actual presence of lead isn't the trigger; the missing disclosure is.
Question 3 of 5
Under the federal lead-based paint rule, buyers of pre-1978 homes generally get:
Answer: A. Federal law gives buyers a 10-day opportunity (or a mutually agreed period) to conduct a lead-based paint assessment before becoming obligated.
Question 4 of 5
Under federal law, sellers and landlords of most housing built before 1978 must disclose known information about:
Answer: B. The federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act requires disclosure of known lead-based paint hazards for pre-1978 housing.
Question 5 of 5
Under the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, the lead-paint disclosure requirement applies to residential dwellings built before what year?
Answer: B. The 1978 ban on residential lead-based paint is the trigger date; sellers and lessors of target housing built before 1978 must make lead disclosures.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
Must-know rules
- Applies to housing built BEFORE 1978
- Seller/landlord: disclose known lead hazards + give the EPA pamphlet
- Buyer gets a 10-DAY window to inspect (can be waived in writing)
- Sales contracts need the lead disclosure ATTACHED; agent must ensure compliance
- Federal law — no state can waive it; fines per violation
Lead-Based Paint — Pre-1978: FAQs
Is Lead-Based Paint — Pre-1978 on the real estate exam?
Yes. Disclosures & Environmental is a scored domain on the real estate licensing exam, and this topic appears in the national portion.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes — every page on Cinna RE's resource library is free to read, print and share. The app adds practice questions, mock exams and a readiness score.
