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Lead Paint Rules for Renovating an Older NH Home

Updated 2026-10-10 · 5 min read

Renovating or painting a pre-1978 NH home? How EPA's lead-safe (RRP) rule works, what to ask your contractor, and NH rules for rentals and sales.

Why it matters in older homes

Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint. According to the NH Department of Health and Human Services, dust from lead paint in older homes is almost always the cause of lead poisoning, and lead can cause serious, permanent harm to a child's brain, growth and development. Repair projects that disturb old paint are one of the sources DHHS lists, along with peeling or chipping paint, old painted windows and doors, painted floors and stairs, and soil near the foundation.

Renovation, replacing windows, and scraping and sanding before painting all create dust. That's why a federal rule governs how paid contractors do this work.

EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule

In New Hampshire, the RRP program is run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NH is not on EPA's list of states authorized to run their own program (EPA RRP program). The basics:

  • Firms paid to do work that disturbs paint in housing or child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified. EPA says this includes sole proprietors, rental property owners and managers, general contractors, and special trades such as painters, plumbers, carpenters and electricians (EPA, for contractors).
  • Small jobs can fall under minor repair and maintenance, which the rule treats differently. The cutoff is disturbing 6 square feet or less of painted surface per room inside, or 20 square feet or less outside. Window replacement, demolition of painted surfaces and any prohibited practice never qualify, whatever the size (EPA FAQ; EPA Small Entity Compliance Guide, 2026).
  • Some practices are prohibited on painted surfaces: open-flame burning or torching, heat guns above 1100 degrees F, and high-speed sanding, grinding, planing or blasting unless the machine has a shroud or containment system and a HEPA vacuum attachment (EPA Small Entity Compliance Guide, 2026).
  • The rule doesn't apply to housing built in 1978 or later, or to components that have been documented as lead-free, for example by a certified inspector or risk assessor (EPA, for contractors).

What a certified contractor should do

When you hire a contractor for covered work in a pre-1978 home, you should expect the following:

Doing the work yourself

EPA says the RRP rule generally does not apply to homeowners working on their own home. It does apply if you rent out all or part of the home, run a child care center there, or buy, renovate and sell homes for profit (EPA, for do-it-yourselfers).

EPA recommends hiring a lead-safe certified contractor. If you do the work yourself, EPA advises using lead-safe work practices: set up barriers to contain the work area, protect yourself, minimize dust, clean up thoroughly and control waste. Keep family members, especially children, out of the work area.

Testing, abatement and NH licenses

The RRP rule doesn't require paint testing, but unless you have documentation that the paint isn't lead-based, the rule applies. Options include EPA-recognized test kits or paint chip sampling by a certified renovator, or testing by a certified inspector or risk assessor (EPA, for contractors).

Cleaning verification at the end of an RRP job is not a lab test for lead dust. NH DHHS suggests taking dust wipe samples after work is complete to make sure the area is safe for children (NH DHHS). If you want that, arrange it before the job starts with a NH-licensed lead professional.

Abatement, meaning work meant to permanently eliminate lead hazards, is regulated separately in New Hampshire. Under RSA 130-A, NH DHHS licenses lead abatement contractors, lead inspectors and lead risk assessors, and certifies abatement workers and supervisors (NH DHHS abatement professionals; RSA 130-A). DHHS keeps lists of licensed companies on that page.

Rentals, sales and kids' blood tests

  • Selling or renting a pre-1978 home: federal law requires sellers and landlords to disclose known lead paint and hazards, give buyers and renters EPA's lead pamphlet, and include a lead warning statement in the contract or lease. Buyers get 10 days to arrange a lead inspection or risk assessment; the two sides can agree in writing to change that, and buyers can waive it (EPA real estate disclosure).
  • New rentals in old buildings: since July 1, 2024, RSA 130-A:5-d has required a Lead-Safe Certificate, issued by a licensed NH risk assessor, before a pre-1978 building that wasn't already used as rental housing is rented out. NH DHHS gives examples such as mill buildings and owner-occupied single-family homes being converted to rentals. Existing rentals aren't covered by this requirement (NH DHHS). If you're planning a conversion, ask DHHS how the law applies to your project.
  • Child lead testing: NH law calls for all children to have a blood lead test at ages 1 and 2, and parents can opt out (RSA 130-A; NH DHHS).

Bottom line

If your home was built before 1978, NH DHHS advises assuming painted surfaces contain lead unless testing shows otherwise. For paid renovation, window replacement and painting work that disturbs old paint, hire an EPA Lead-Safe Certified firm. Find painters, carpenters and general contractors in our directory, and confirm certification before you sign. Our hiring checklist covers the rest.

This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice, and rules can change. Confirm current requirements with EPA or the NH DHHS lead program. If you're worried about a child's exposure, talk with your pediatrician.

Sources

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