Alaska Renters: Guide to Lead Paint Hazards & Your Rights

If you’re renting a home or apartment in Alaska, protecting your family from health hazards like lead-based paint is important. Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint, which can cause serious health problems—especially for children and pregnant women. Alaska law, along with federal rules, gives tenants specific rights and protections when it comes to lead safety in rental housing.

Lead-Based Paint: What Alaska Renters Need to Know

Lead exposure can affect the nervous system, learning, and behavior. This is especially concerning in homes built before 1978, when lead-based paints were widely used. Alaska renters are protected by federal and state requirements intended to prevent lead poisoning and ensure rental homes are safe.

Required Disclosures for Lead Paint in Alaska Rentals

Under the federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule, landlords in Alaska must:

• Provide renters with an EPA-approved pamphlet on lead safety, called "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home" (official pamphlet, EPA-747-K-12-001).
• Disclose any known information about lead-based paint or lead hazards in the rental property.
• Provide renters with records or reports on lead inspections or risks.
• Include language in the lease agreement confirming these steps were completed.

These rules apply to most rental housing built before 1978. If your landlord hasn't given you this information, they may be in violation of both state and federal rules.

Alaska Law and Lead Paint Hazards

Besides federal law, Alaska’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires landlords to make sure rental units are habitable and free from known health hazards.^[1] This includes addressing serious risks like lead paint if they're aware of them.

What Should Renters Do If They Suspect Lead Paint?

If you believe your home may have lead-based paint hazards:

• Ask your landlord for disclosure information if you weren’t given the official pamphlet or reports at lease signing.
• Test for lead using home test kits or have a professional inspection (fees may apply).
• Document the issue—take photos, keep records of your requests to the landlord, and note any delays in repairs.
• Submit a written repair request if peeling or chipping paint is found, especially on windows, doors, or surfaces children can reach.

Filing a Complaint or Taking Action

If your landlord doesn’t address lead hazards promptly, you have options:

• Contact the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) to report environmental health hazards: Alaska DEC - Lead Information
• Notify the landlord in writing and provide a reasonable deadline for repairs (see the official requirements).
• Apply to the district court (Alaska has no dedicated tenancy tribunal; landlord-tenant disputes go through state courts) if the landlord refuses to act on repair requests.

Official Forms for Alaska Renters

• Notice of Repair Request (No standard state form)
  Use a written letter stating the issue, date, and requested repairs. For guidance, review the sample lease violation letter format on the Alaska Attorney General – Landlord and Tenant Guide (see page 22).
  Example: If you spot peeling paint, write to your landlord stating when it was discovered and ask that it be assessed for lead hazards and repaired within a set timeframe.
• EPA Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form (Form EPA 747-K-99-001)
  Landlords must use this form at lease signing for homes built before 1978. Download the official form here.
  Example: At lease signing, your landlord should provide this form completed and signed. If not, you may request a copy.

Overview of Alaska’s Tenancy Laws & Tribunal

Rental housing rights in Alaska are governed by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Disputes about repairs and habitability (including unresolved lead paint hazards) are handled by the Alaska State Court System – District Courts, which act as the official authority for landlord-tenant issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do Alaska landlords have to test for or remove lead paint?
   No, landlords are not required to test for lead but must disclose any known hazards and address unsafe conditions. If there is a risk or known hazard (such as peeling paint in a pre-1978 home), they are responsible for repairs under habitability laws.
2. What can I do if my landlord didn’t provide the lead paint disclosure?
   You can request the "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home" pamphlet and the signed EPA disclosure form. Report violations to the EPA and Alaska DEC, and reference this when communicating with your landlord.
3. Can I withhold rent if repairs for lead paint are not made?
   Withholding rent is not recommended without following the formal process in Alaska’s landlord-tenant law. Instead, notify your landlord in writing and consider legal advice if repairs aren’t made.
4. Is there a sample letter I can use for repair requests?
   Yes, see the sample format in the official Landlord and Tenant Guide (page 22).

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Alaska Renters

• Landlords must provide official lead paint disclosures and a lead hazard information pamphlet for older housing.
• Alaska law requires safe and habitable rental homes; report unsafe lead conditions in writing.
• Disputes can be addressed in district court or reported to relevant state agencies.

Being informed and proactive is the best way to keep your rental home safe from lead-based paint risks.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation – Lead Information: For information and complaint reporting.
• Alaska State Court System – Residential Landlord/Tenant Help: How to file housing claims or disputes.
• Alaska Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Act Guide: Complete guide to rental rights and responsibilities.
• EPA Lead Hazard Information: National information and reporting tips.

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1. Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
2. EPA Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule
3. Alaska State Court System

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