The disclosure of lead-based paint is particularly relevant to which type of properties?

The disclosure of lead-based paint is especially relevant to properties built before 1978 due to federal regulations established under the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act. This law requires sellers and lessors of residential properties built before this year to provide prospective buyers or tenants with a lead-based paint disclosure. Lead was commonly used in residential paint until it was banned for residential use by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1978. Properties built after this date are not subject to the same disclosure requirements since they are presumed not to have lead-based paint.

By focusing on homes constructed before 1978, the regulations aim to protect occupants, especially children, from the health hazards associated with lead exposure, which can cause severe developmental issues and other health problems. Therefore, it is critical for real estate transactions involving older properties to include information about lead-based paint hazards to ensure informed decisions are made by buyers and tenants.