The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) recently released the Indoor Air Quality Guide for Tenants to offer a starting point for tenants to learn more about indoor air quality (IAQ) in their homes. It describes common IAQ problems, explains what laws might apply to IAQ conditions in rental properties, and suggests where to look for more information and for assistance resolving IAQ problems.
Indoor air quality is an important part of a healthy home. Exposure to indoor pollutants – from lead-based paint and mold to secondhand smoke – can affect your health. Children, older adults, and people with asthma and other medical conditions may be especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of indoor air pollutants. The guide is organized into five main parts and three appendices.
- PART 1: Learning About Common Indoor Air Quality Problems
- PART 2: Preventing and Fixing Indoor Air Quality Problems
- PART 3: Understanding the Types of Laws that Address Indoor Air Quality in Rental Housing
- PART 4: Finding Information About the State and Local Laws Where You Live
- PART 5: Resolving Disputes About Indoor Air Quality Problems
- APPENDIX A: State Laws on IAQ in Rental Housing: Overview and Examples
- APPENDIX B: Additional Housing Standards for Federally-Assisted Housing
- APPENDIX C: State and Local Model Programs for Addressing IAQ in Rental Housin
The guide is available to download on ELI’s website, along with a companion document that provides links to additional information on IAQ issues.
