If your rental property participates in Cleveland’s Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher program, there’s a critical compliance gap you need to know about — and it’s costing landlords time, money, and voucher delays every month.
A City of Cleveland Lead Safe Certificate (LSC) is not accepted by CMHA. They are two separate processes, governed by two separate sets of rules. Submitting your City LSC to CMHA when they ask for lead compliance documentation will result in rejection.
📄 Download the Full Compliance Alert
View or share our 2-page reference guide covering both processes, the $450 clearance exam, and contractor certificate requirements.
→ CMHA Lead Compliance Alert — July 2026
Why the City LSC Isn’t Enough for CMHA Properties
The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) operates under separate federal HUD rules — specifically HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS). When an HQS inspection identifies a lead visual failure at your Section 8 property (chipped or peeling paint on pre-1978 housing), CMHA requires you to complete their HUD-mandated seven-step compliance process — completely independently of anything the City of Cleveland requires.
Many landlords don’t find this out until they’ve already completed the City process and submitted the paperwork, only to have CMHA reject it and restart the clock. Don’t let that happen to you.
CMHA Requires a Separate Clearance Examination
After all repairs are complete, CMHA will not accept the word of the contractor or a general inspection. They require a licensed clearance examination performed by a licensed risk assessor to confirm that all lead hazards have been properly remediated.
PbFree Ohio performs CMHA clearance examinations at $450 per unit. This is a separate fee from any City LSC costs. We coordinate directly with CMHA’s timeline to avoid voucher delays.
Know Which Process Applies to Your Situation
| Your Situation | What’s Required | Who to Call |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Cleveland rental | City of Cleveland Lead Safe Certificate (LSC) | PbFree Ohio: 216-452-0881 |
| CMHA / Section 8 property with HQS lead visual failure | CMHA seven-step compliance packet + separate clearance exam ($450/unit). City LSC is NOT accepted by CMHA. | CMHA Housing: 216-348-5000 + PbFree Ohio for clearance |
| Both City LSC and CMHA voucher apply | Both processes must be completed independently. Budget for both fees separately. | Call PbFree Ohio first: 216-452-0881 |
RRP-Certified Contractors Are Required — No Exceptions
Federal law requires that all lead paint disturbance work on pre-1978 housing be performed by an EPA-certified Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) contractor or a licensed lead abatement contractor. This applies to both the City process and CMHA’s.
An OSHA lead awareness card, a general contractor license, or a handyman certificate does NOT qualify. Hiring an unqualified contractor exposes you to federal EPA fines and will result in a failed inspection.
Before any work begins, you must have copies of two separate certificates on file:
- Individual EPA RRP Certificate — The specific person performing the work must hold a current, valid EPA RRP individual certificate in their own name. Ask for a copy and verify the name matches the worker and the expiration date is in the future.
- Firm EPA Lead Renovation Firm Certificate — The company performing the work must hold a current, valid EPA-certified Lead Renovation Firm certificate. This is separate from the individual certificate. Ask for a copy and confirm the business name matches.
Submissions missing either certificate will be rejected — causing delays, repeat inspections, and additional costs. You can verify any contractor’s EPA certification status at epa.gov/lead/find-certified-firm.
PbFree Ohio is fully credentialed — all of our field staff hold valid individual EPA RRP certificates, and PbFree Ohio LLC holds a current EPA Lead Renovation Firm certificate. When you schedule your clearance exam with us, you’re working with a fully compliant firm.
What to Do After a Failed HQS Lead Visual: 4 Steps
Step 1 — Stop before scheduling repairs. Confirm with CMHA whether your property is a Housing Choice Voucher property. Do not assume the City process is sufficient. This is the most common and most costly mistake landlords make.
Step 2 — Contact CMHA for their compliance packet. Request the seven-step lead compliance documents from your CMHA housing specialist. This governs exactly what must be done to restore HQS compliance.
Step 3 — Hire an RRP-certified contractor and get copies of BOTH valid EPA certificates before signing anything. You must have on file: (1) the individual worker’s EPA RRP individual certificate, and (2) the firm’s EPA Lead Renovation Firm certificate. Both must be current and unexpired. Do not allow work to begin without both.
Step 4 — Schedule your clearance examination with PbFree Ohio. After all repairs are complete, CMHA requires a licensed clearance examination ($450/unit). We coordinate directly with CMHA’s timeline so your voucher is not delayed.
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
PbFree Ohio is Cleveland’s largest lead safe compliance provider. We work with Section 8 landlords across Cuyahoga County every day and understand both the City and CMHA processes inside and out.
- Phone: 216-452-0881
- Email: burkons@pbfreeohio.com
- Web: pbfreeohio.com
This post reflects policy clarifications from the City of Cleveland Lead Safe Program and CMHA as of July 2026. Requirements are subject to change. Informational only — not legal advice. Legislation is pending that may further align City and CMHA requirements; updated guidance will be issued when finalized.