Rental Registry

rental registry

 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to ensure the health and safety of all Niagara County residents by maintaining a comprehensive and accessible rental registry. We are committed to performing proactive lead surveys with integrity, professionalism, and transparency, fostering a culture of accountability and compliance within the rental community. Through education, collaboration, and enforcement, we strive to protect the public's health, enhance the quality of Niagara County rental housing stock, and to promote active engagement with renting entities in the community to maintain safe and affordable rental housing options for community residents.

Rental Registry

New York State recently added Public Health Law Article 13, Title 10, Section 1377 , State Rental Registry and Proactive Inspections to identify lead hazards. This new law requires all properties classified as residential dwellings with two or more units in the County of Niagara built before 1980 to be registered in the New York State Rental Registry by January 2, 2026. The initial efforts will be in the zip codes 14301 and 14305.

Lead is a poison that can affect every system of the child's body.  It is particularly harmful to the developing brain, sometimes causing severe developmental delays that may affect the child throughout his or her lifetime. A large percentage of childhood lead poisoning is caused by ingestion of lead dust from chipping and peeling paint in older homes built prior to 1978, before lead based paint was banned for residential use. The new law seeks to ensure that rental properties are made lead-safe.

rental registry lead window

What does the Rental Registry Entail?

  • Each rental unit will need a lead clearance inspection every 3 years.
  • At a minimum, this inspection will include a visual survey for deteriorated paint and outdoor bare soil conditions, as well as the collection of dust wipe samples.
  • Once a unit is deemed satisfactory, a lead safety certificate of compliance will be issued.
  • Rental registrations are not transferable to new owners. Upon purchase or transfer of ownership, all new owners must register the change of ownership in the rental registry within 30 days.
  • Non-compliance will result in fees, fines and potential legal action.

How can you prepare?

We will continue to notify property owners as we gather more information and work together with New York State to establish this new program. Please give us a call at 716-278-8480 or email us at rental.registry@niagaracounty.com if you have any questions.