Lead-Based Paint

Lead-based paint constitutes an immediate hazard that must be corrected, unless testing shows that lead is not present in the paint at a level above that permitted by law. 

Appraisers must

·   assume that a defective paint condition (involving cracking, scaling, chipping, peeling, or loose paint) on any interior or exterior surface of properties built prior to 1978 involves lead-based paint

·   clearly identify the location of such conditions, and

·   recommend correction. 

Any defective paint condition identified must receive adequate treatment to prevent the ingestion of contaminated paint.  Either

·   the surface requiring treatment must be thoroughly washed, scraped, wirebrushed or otherwise cleaned to remove all cracking, scaling, peeling, chipping and loose paint and then repainted with two coats of a suitable nonleaded paint, or

·   the paint shall be completely removed or the surface covered with a suitable material such as gypsum wallboard, plywood or plaster before any painting is undertaken if the paint film integrity of the surface needing treatment cannot be maintained.

Party Walls

A building constructed to a property line must be separated from the adjoining building by a wall extending the full height of the building from the foundation to the roof ridge.  The wall may separate row type townhouses or semi-detached units.