Local Law 31 NYC: What Landlords Must Know & How UNYSE Can Help

Published: September 9, 2025
Author: UNYSE

Local Law 31 Isn’t Coming—It’s Already Here

If you’re a landlord in New York City and you’ve been waiting to deal with Local Law 31—time’s up. This isn’t a warning shot or a future deadline. Local Law 31 is already in effect, and if your properties aren’t in compliance, you're officially in the danger zone.

Thousands of property owners are scrambling to meet the legal requirements for lead-based paint inspections and risk assessments—especially in pre-1960 buildings. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to go it alone. UNYSE is here to walk you through every step, ensuring your property is fully compliant—without the stress, the confusion, or the potential fines.

What Is Local Law 31 of 2020?

Local Law 31 is part of New York City’s ongoing effort to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in residential buildings. Enacted in August 2020, this law requires owners of pre-1960 residential buildings (and some built between 1960–1978) to conduct lead-based paint inspections in every dwelling unit where a child under 6 resides or routinely spends time.

Key Points of the Law:

Applies to residential buildings built before 1960
Applies to buildings built 1960–1978 if known lead-based paint exists
Landlords must hire an EPA-certified lead inspector or risk assessor
XRF inspections (X-Ray Fluorescence) must be completed
Must be done within 5 years of the law’s effective date OR sooner if a child under 6 lives in the unit
Results must be documented and kept for at least 10 years

Why Landlords Must Act Now

Let’s not sugarcoat it: this is mandatory, and the clock already started ticking back in 2020. That means as of August 2025, the five-year grace period has ended for thousands of landlords across the city.

Here's what you're risking if you delay:

Fines starting at $250–$500 per violation
Multiple violations per unit—it adds up fast
Possible litigation or tenant lawsuits
Jeopardizing your property insurance or financing
Getting flagged by HPD or DOB for non-compliance

The message is clear: no inspection, no excuse.

How UNYSE Helps Landlords Stay Compliant

If this all sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. That's exactly why UNYSE Environmental Consultants exists—to make this process seamless, accurate, and fully compliant.

Here's what UNYSE brings to the table:

EPA-certified lead inspectors and risk assessors
Fast and professional XRF lead paint inspections
Compliance documentation that stands up to HPD scrutiny
Help interpreting the results and next steps
Guidance on remediation (if needed)

UNYSE has already helped hundreds of NYC landlords bring their properties into compliance—without disrupting tenants or overcharging. You don’t have to be an expert in city code; you just need the right partner.

Who Needs to Comply with Local Law 31?

You do, if you own or manage:

An apartment building built before 1960
A private home or co-op where tenants live
Any multi-family housing with children under 6
Buildings where lead paint may still exist

Even if no child under 6 currently resides in the unit, you’re still required to complete inspections if a child moves in. It’s proactive compliance, not reactive.

What Is an XRF Inspection, Anyway?

The law requires the use of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology to detect lead in paint—no more guesswork, peeling paint checks, or outdated swab tests.

An XRF inspection:

Is non-destructive and done using a handheld scanner
Accurately detects lead presence under multiple layers of paint
Takes a few minutes per room
Comes with detailed, court-ready reports

UNYSE uses state-of-the-art XRF technology, ensuring your inspection is thorough, fast, and legally compliant.

Deadlines, Documentation & What to Expect

By now, August 2025 has either already hit or is right around the corner—meaning the five-year window has closed for many property owners. Even if your property’s deadline hasn’t hit yet, don’t wait until the last minute. Inspect now, document early, and avoid penalties later.

What Landlords Should Do:

Schedule an XRF inspection with a certified company like UNYSE
Get all units tested, especially those with children under 6
Keep inspection records for at least 10 years
If lead is found, begin remediation or management plans
Provide annual notices to tenants, as required by Local Law 1 & 31

FAQs Landlords Are Asking Right Now

Q: What if I already had inspections done before 2020?
A: Unless they were done with XRF by a certified lead inspector, you’ll likely need to redo them. UNYSE can review your documents to confirm.

Q: My building was built in 1965. Do I still need an inspection?
A: Yes, if there’s reason to believe lead-based paint is present. It’s better to be safe—and compliant—than sorry.

Q: How long does the inspection take?
A: For a single apartment, XRF inspections can be done in under 30 minutes. For an entire building, UNYSE can provide a time estimate and schedule efficiently.

Q: What happens if lead is found?
A: Don’t panic. UNYSE can help develop a Lead Hazard Control Plan or guide you through safe remediation.

Don’t Wait Until You’re Fined—Take Action Today

NYC isn’t playing around when it comes to lead safety—and neither should you. With Local Law 31 now fully in effect, the window to act is closing fast or already closed for many landlords. Don’t risk penalties, lawsuits, or your tenants’ safety.

UNYSE is standing by to help with:

Certified inspections
Fast turnaround
Legal compliance
Tenant-safe scheduling

Ready to Get Started?

Reach out to UNYSE today to schedule your inspection or get a free consultation on what your property needs. It's the smartest move you can make—not just to stay legal, but to protect your property, your tenants, and your peace of mind.

Visit UNYSE.com
Call Today: (1-877-466-4429)
Email: [email protected]

Let the experts handle the headaches—you focus on what you do best: managing great properties.