Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Update

Iowa REALTORS® is dedicated to providing members with up-to-date, accurate information on the tools you need to be successful in your business. 

Travis Bushaw, Iowa REALTORS® 2025 president, recently sat down with Iowa REALTORS® general counsel, Justin Hayes, to discuss the changes to the federal lead-based paint disclosure form that took place in 2024 and why it is vital that our members ensure they are using the most recent version of the form to stay in compliance. 

We encourage you to watch the short video above. In the meantime, here are the highlights: 

Requirement: The EPA requires buyers’ agents to inform the seller of the seller’s responsibility, per federal code, to disclose the existence of lead paint, if the buyer’s brokerage is receiving compensation directly from the seller. On the form itself, a line has been added under the Agent’s Acknowledgement section for the buyer’s agent to initial that they’ve informed the seller of this requirement. 

Exceptions: If the property was built after 1978, this entire form is exempt. In addition, if the buyer’s agent is NOT receiving compensation from the SELLER, the buyer’s agent should write NA in the space instead of their initials. 

Informing the Seller: In most cases, a buyer's agent is prohibited from contacting a listing agent's client. In this scenario, it is recommended that you put verbiage either into the Purchase Agreement, under "Other Terms or Conditions," or as an addendum to the Purchase Agreement. 

You can directly copy this verbiage: Buyer’s Agent is hereby informing the seller of the seller’s obligations under federal code to disclose lead based paint and is hereby aware of their responsibility to ensure compliance. 

Iowa REALTORS® leadership and staff continue to monitor all forms to ensure they are in compliance with state and federal regulations. We promise to keep you informed of important changes as they take place. 

If you have additional questions about the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure, please reach out to the Broker Legal Hotline, legalhotline@iowarealtors.com.