Is Radon testing required to sell a home? Maybe you are buying a home and have finally put in an offer on the one you have been dreaming about. Now You Know What Radon Is, Is Radon Testing Required to Sell a Home. When deciding how to test a home for radon, you have two options such as hiring a qualified radon tester or using a DIY radon testing kit. Choosing a mitigation contractor solely on a lowest cost basis could mean youre getting an ineffective system installed, putting the buyers at risk of exposure. States that require radon testing in schools: States that require radon testing in child care centers (daycare and after school programs): It is important to note that although these state radon laws require testing, that does not mean they also require mitigation to deal with elevated levels. Subsequently, this solution highly benefits both home sellers and home buyers alike and keeps the transaction moving forward and on schedule. Radon certification laws address the businesses and professionals that will be dealing with radongas in homes. A qualified tester will either have passed a state-run radon program or completed courses via the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB). HomeGo may utilize the services of an affiliated real estate brokerage to transact home purchases. Radon Guide for Tenants (1996, EPA 402/K98/004) Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a . Among these states include Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Because its such a heavy gas, radon tends to collect in low-lying areas without adequate ventilation, such as basements and crawl spaces, although even homes without basements can have a radon issue. Of course, if you have any questions about home inspections and radon testing in Champaign and surrounding central Illinois please contact us at any time. That is concerning, to say the least. Radon is a radioactive gas that is so prevalent, were exposed to it daily. Radon moves through a home via cracks in floors or walls, construction joints, and gaps in foundations around pipes, pumps, and wires. As of October 1, 2016, county law requires that "a single-family home located in the county must be tested for radon before completing a sale of the home.". In the U.S., a radon inspection can range between $150 and $700, averaging at around $400 for each inspection. Charcoal canisters are generally used, although electronic instruments may also be used. Guide: Selling a House That Needs Serious Repairs [2023], Water Mitigation: Everything You Need to Know in 2023. However, an appraiser will look at whether a homeowner or an ASHI-certified home inspector has reported any radon and then check for other similarly affected housing thats soldnot an easy task, Ford said. or In addition to the Iowa standard form, sellers have to fill out disclosures specifically about radon and lead-based paint. (Thats why the EPA considers a recent radon test to be within the past two years.). PAAs compensation from these insurers may vary between the insurers and based on the policy you buy, sales volume and/or profitability of policies sold. Any agents referenced do not represent you as a home seller. A mitigation system is probably an expense you were not expecting to pay with the purchase of your new home. All radon test devices must be approved by either the NRSB or NRPP (see below). The average radon concentration in the indoor air of America's homes is about 1.3 pCi/L The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established 4 pCi/L as an action level in which one should initiate measures to reduce the amount of radon in a home. The disclosure shall include: (1) whether a radon test or tests have occurred on the real property; (2) the most current records . Nine states require testing in daycare centers. Although Colorado does not have a mandatory radon real estate disclosure, Thomas said his clients often have disclosed the results of radon tests, as well as how theyve addressed the problem, such as by installing a radon mitigation system (more on that below). While this is a good starting point, the EPA recommends contacting your state radon office for assistance in finding a qualified tester if youre putting your home on the market. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3" }).render("00499ba9282e4d1b985fa8af14d29c2b"); }); Save $1,000 in one weekend by installing a radon reduction system yourself. When people breathe these particles in, they lodge in the lungs and damage cells. Radon breaks down into tiny radioactive particles in the air. This can be tedious and can cause delays in the closing transaction. Four states require tenant disclosure by the landlord. If youd like to learn more about radon gas or how you can get in touch with a radon professional to have your home tested, feel free to visit the rest of our site! If you are calling after standard operating hours, the automated messaging service will record your message and a staff member will return your call. Setting up a radon mitigation system before closing will improve the house's value because it ensures . Many people who are relocating to Florida are concerned about radon in the home they are purchasing. Our team is certified and licensed to provide professional radon testing, as well, if your home inspector does not provide this service or if youre looking for a second opinion, our trusted professionals are here to help! In the late 80s and 90s, there was a big push in state legislature. Homes with crawl spaces might instead cover the earth floor with a high-density plastic sheet, and use a vent pipe and a fan to force the radon gas outside. Copyright 1995 - 2023. The only way to know if your home has radon is through a test. It typically diffuses into the air, but it can dissolve into groundwater, then disperse when the water is used. Unfortunately, even though there are standards for how mitigation systems should be installed, there are companies out there that do not install good, reliable, mitigation systems. When searching for a mitigation company, whether through referrals from your real estate agent or online directories of home improvement professionals, look for licensing through your states environmental health department, or those advertising accreditation through the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP). Are you planning to buy a house somewhere in the United States? Radon can have a big impact on your Indoor Air Quality . Enter your zip code to learn about the radon levels near you. Or are you moving to a different state? Contact the Delaware Division of Public Health Radon Office or call 1-800-464-HELP. Because radon is so common and poses a health risk, all homes should be tested. Radon mitigation systems can take from three to five hours to install, and you can expect to see lower radon levels within 24 hours after installation. Those fixes will add to the cost, even if you do the sealing yourself, but they will likely result in lower radon gas levels. Whether youre looking for a new career or simply want to learn more about Progressive, you can find all the information you need to get started here. The average concentration of radon in outdoor air is 0.4 pCi/L. Should this be a deterrent to buying? Can I Still Sell My Home with High Radon Levels. Vacant houses will experience factors that may drive radon levels to lower or higher than normal averages, but the effect cannot be predicted. (a) Before signing an agreement to sell or transfer residential real property, the seller shall disclose in writing to the buyer any knowledge the seller has of radon concentrations in the dwelling. top real estate agent in the Denver, Colorado area, diffuses into the air, but it can dissolve into groundwater, elevated radon levels have been found in every state, offers discounted test kits for purchase online, frequently want an independent party to handle the test, type of mitigation system you need depends on the foundation of your house, national average cost for installation is $1,200. You mail the tests to a lab for the results. Finally, we have the radon-resistant new construction state radon laws. In this case, the results should be shared with you. If they have never tested the property for the presence of radon, then thats all they have to say during a home sale. While no federal mandates are in place with specific radon requirements, certain states and localities may require a radon test before selling a home. If you need results quickly, take a . Radon can be found anywhere, in any structure, from historic homes to new construction. If the house where you live is located in an area where there are high radon levels, you might put your health in danger. Operating hours are 8:30 am (CST) through 4:30 pm (CST). If you are buying or selling a home, have it tested for radon. Short-term tests are useful to see if further testing is warranted. Find answers to your insurance questions, insights into current trends, and tools for navigating life in our resource center. However, if your area has had significant problems with radon levels, there may be local ordinances that could affect you. It's best to take care of this before you put the house on the market. Thats why its important to test your home fairly regularly to determine the levels of radon gas. It is human nature for the home seller to want to save money on closing costs. It only becomes dangerous when it accumulates to certain levels, increasing the risk of lung cancer, says the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Maryland. You can test for radon yourself by purchasing a DIY kit at a home improvement store for about $10 to $25. Posted in Article, FAQs, Home Buying. Long-term tests stay in place for more than 90 days. I'm selling a house. Many states require home sellers todisclose the results of radon teststo potential buyers. The most common procedure for radon testing during real estate transactions is for the potential buyer to request the radon test as part of the overall home inspection. Although home test kits can range between $10 and $30, hiring a certified professional will the best way to receive accurate test results. Further, the EPA recommends that all homes be tested as part of thehome inspection process. The states that require a warning include: Click here to learnmore about radon disclosures in real estate. They are Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, and West Virginia. Home Buyer's/Seller's Guide to Radon (March 15, 2018, EPA 402/K-13/002) Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home (December 2016, EPA 402/K10/005) Who is Qualified to Test or Fix My Home? Radon is naturally found in outdoor air at very low levels and some radon will always be in your indoor air. You can find information on radon, the protocols for radon testing during real estate transactions, and guidance as to how to interpret your radon test results. This mitigation vent discharges radon directly below a window, possibly directing the radon back into the home. This is important for ensuring your family is being protected. The first thing you should understand is that there are currently no national or state radon laws that require testing in homes. Fix the home if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. There are many kinds of low-cost "do it yourself" radon test kits available at home improvement stores from about $10 to $50. Thatll eliminate the radon gas issue entirely. Many times post mitigation tests are in the range of 1-3. A handful of states do require that schools and child care centers be tested. Depending on the radon test results, the home buyer may request for the home seller to provide a mitigation system. Radon Protection: Buying a Newly BuiltHome, Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction:How to Fix Your Home. The seller of the house I want to buy disclosed a radon level of 2. Similarly, if you are in the process of buying or selling your home, you are also prohibited by Maine's "Radon Registration Act" from doing the testing yourself. 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