Cal. Civ. Code § 6-817
Md. Code Ann., Environment Art. Title 6, Subtitle 8 — Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Operative Text
(a) (1) Except for properties constructed between January 1, 1950, and December 31, 1977, both inclusive, on and after February 24, 2001, an owner of affected properties shall ensure that at least 50% of the owner’s affected properties have satisfied the risk reduction standard specified in § 6–815(a) of this subtitle, without regard to the number of affected properties in which there has been a change in occupancy. (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other remedy that may be available, an owner who fails to meet the requirements of subsections (a)(1) and (c) of this section shall lose the liability protection under § 6–836 of this subtitle for any alleged injury or loss caused by the ingestion of lead by a person at risk that is first documented by a test for EBL of 20 �g/dl or more performed between February 24, 2001 and February 23, 2006, inclusive, or 15 �g/dl or more performed on or after February 24, 2006, in any of the owner’s units that have not satisfied the risk reduction standard specified in § 6–815(a) of this subtitle and the inspection requirement of subsection (c) of this section. (ii) On or after the date that the owner meets the requirements of subsections (a)(1) and (c) of this section, the liability protection under § 6–836 of this subtitle shall be reinstated for any alleged injury or loss caused by the ingestion of lead by a person at risk that is first documented by a test for EBL of 20 �g/dl or more performed between February 24, 2001 and February 23, 2006, inclusive, or 15 �g/dl or more performed on or after February 24, 2006. (b) (1) Except for properties constructed between January 1, 1950, and December 31, 1977, both inclusive, on and after February 24, 2006, an owner of affected properties shall ensure that 100% of the owner’s affected properties in which a person at risk resides, and of whom the owner has been notified in writing, have satisfied the risk reduction standard specified in § 6–815(a) of this subtitle. (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other remedy that may be available, an owner who fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection and subsection (c) of this section, or of § 6–819(f) of this subtitle shall lose the liability protection under § 6–836 of this subtitle for any alleged injury or loss caused by the ingestion of lead by a person at risk that is first documented by a test for EBL of 15 �g/dl or more on or after February 24, 2006 in any of the owner’s units that have not satisfied the risk reduction standard specified in § 6–815(a) of this subtitle, the inspection requirement of subsection (c) of this section, or the modified risk reduction standard specified in § 6–819(a) of this subtitle, as applicable. (ii) The liability protection under § 6–836 of this subtitle shall be reinstated for any alleged injury or loss caused by the ingestion of lead that is first documented by a test for EBL of 15 �g/dl or more after the date that the owner meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, subsection (c) of this section, and the requirements of § 6–819(f) of this subtitle. (iii) The provisions of this paragraph do not apply if the owner proves that the noncompliance results from: 1. A tenant’s lack of cooperation with the owner’s compliance efforts; or 2. Legal action affecting access to the unit. (3) Notice given under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be sent by: (i) Certified mail, return receipt requested; or (ii) A verifiable method approved by the Department. (c) On each occasion that an affected property which has not undergone a change in occupancy is treated to satisfy the requirements of this section, the owner of the affected property shall have the property inspected to verify that the risk reduction standard specified in § 6–815(a) of this subtitle has been satisfied. (d) The owner of an affected property shall be responsible for the cost of any temporary relocation of the tenants of the affected property that is necessary to fulfill the requirements of this section.
Maryland Md. Code Ann., Env. § 6-817 establishes phased lead-risk-reduction compliance benchmarks for owners of pre-1978 rental properties, requiring that a growing share of those properties meet the standard defined in § 6-815(a). Owners who fall short of these benchmarks lose a key liability shield available under § 6-836, while owners who later come into compliance can have that protection reinstated. When tenants must temporarily relocate so that lead-reduction work can be completed, the cost of that relocation falls on the property owner.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Md. Code Ann., Env. § 6-817, compliant property owners generally track which of their affected units have met the § 6-815(a) risk reduction standard and ensure inspections are completed each time a non-turnover unit is treated. Owners who receive written notice that a person at risk resides in a unit are expected to bring that unit into compliance promptly, and notices of this kind are typically sent by certified mail or a department-approved method. Maintaining compliance records and covering any necessary tenant relocation costs are part of the operational responsibilities this section places on owners.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Md. Code Ann., Env. § 6-817 gives tenants in affected properties a stake in whether their unit has met the lead risk reduction standard, because an owner's failure to comply strips away the liability protection that would otherwise limit the owner's exposure for lead-related injuries. Tenants who are persons at risk, or who live with persons at risk, may trigger the owner's 100% compliance obligation by providing written notice of that fact. Tenants who believe their unit has not been brought into compliance may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or the Maryland Department of the Environment to understand available complaint and enforcement paths.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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