is radon testing required to sell a home
Dont worry about the expense, hassle, and danger of radon. Home >> Blog >> Are There State Radon Laws That Require Radon Testing and Mitigation? An official website of the United States government. Radon breaks down into tiny radioactive particles in the air. All homes are purchased in the name of an affiliated holding company designed to acquire properties and may not vest in the name of HomeGo. This includes places like the state courthouse, libraries, and similar public properties. Short-term tests are available at home centers, hardware stores and online retailers. (Thats why the EPA considers a recent radon test to be within the past two years.). According to EPA, the average radon level in American homes is about 1.3 pCi/L. Before starting the test, inspectors usually look for common radon gas entry points and recommend sealing those areas before conducting the test. I'm selling a house. Newer construction may rely on passive mitigation, where pipes are installed in the foundation, creating a natural vacuum and directing the radon out of the house without use of a fan. The radon can be reduced. There are a few people that say that they wont own a home that has radon issues, he said. 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.". Because radon is so common and poses a health risk, all homes should be tested. 20 to30 states have laws in place that require professionals to earn a certification or license before they can practice radon duties. While radon testing is not required by law or regulated in Wisconsin, we recommend testing for radon during real estate transactions to better understand radon levels and lung cancer risk. Unless you test with a radon test kit, you can't tell whether your home has radon, because radon is a gas that has no smell, no color, and can't be seen. If you need results quickly, take a . Get insurance for almost anything you need, Report/track a claim & learn about the process, See who we are, what we stand for & join the team, Tools, answers to your insurance questions, & more. report a claim There is no uniform radon disclosure in the United States. In the U.S., a radon inspection can range between $150 and $700, averaging at around $400 for each inspection. In some cases, yes. You can do the tests yourself or pay a professional. All radon test devices must be approved by either the NRSB or NRPP (see below). Selling a House As-Is: How to Skip Repairs and Move On! Report a new claim or view the status of an existing claim, Continue as a guest to The sellers of the home may have already tested for radon in the past. Among these states include Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Youd think since Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US,there would be a lot of legislation surrounding the issue. Radon is one of the hazards specified in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System Regulations. Check out our library of resources for more on creating healthy and safe indoor environments in your community. Among these states are California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. However, there are a few ways that this can play out. These states are California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Thomas says hes done this many times, both in terms of offering buyers a credit at closing costs to install a mitigation system, or in having buyers and seller split the cost. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon causes more than20,000 cases of cancer each year. But even if it isn't, there are still reasons to do it before you list. Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas created from breakdown of natural deposits of uranium in the soil. Radon an odorless radioactive gas occurs as the result of uranium breaking down in soil and water. Radon testing and mitigation are not required during real estate transactions, but testing is highly recommended. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. If bundled into the cost of a standard home inspection, expect to pay $90 to $250 on top of the home inspection fee. To meet the minimum requirements, the point of discharge needs to extend above the eve of the building to prevent potential re-entrainment. This means that sellers and property owners are under no legal obligations to have a residential building tested for the presence of radon. Radon Control Program Program Overview The Radon Control Program was established by the Montana Legislature in 1993 through the Radon Control Act. Ive seen that over and over again, Thomas said. Because radon is so common and poses a health risk, all homes should be tested. Being exposed to high radon levels has been linked to increasedrisk and rates of cancer, says the American Cancer Society. These states include are Colorado, Florida, Illinois, and Maine. First, the basics: Where does radon come from? Scientists estimate that 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths nationwide each year are related to radon. This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. For properties in radon Affected Areas a hazard assessment is required. You want to make sure that the home you're making an offer on is in a good, livable condition. If the test results are near 4pCi/L level, the buyer may ask for a discount or require you to install a radon mitigation system before closing. A long-term test is recommended because the more data you obtain, the more accurate your results will be. About 30-40 states have radon disclosure laws. Five states Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, and Ohio impose criminal and civil penalties for misrepresenting radon readings. What counts as fraud on homeowners & renters insurance? The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are forgeneral informational purposesonly. Please note: The above is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. I'm buying a house. About 75% of the 50 US states do have some kind of law that addresses radon gas, but not in the way you might think. How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in 2023? With the Environmental Protection Agency estimating that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States has elevated radon levels, you might be anxious about whether radon in your home will be an obstacle to selling your house. However, no level of radon is truly safe. Copyright 1995 - 2023. If you have never heard of radon before, you are not alone. We recommend our users to update the browser. Be Aware of These 15 Tenant Rights, 8 of the Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Colorado, Find Cash Home Buyers in Houston for a Fast, Simple Sale, 8 Pros and Cons of Buying a House in the Spring, Summer Home-Selling Maintenance Checklist: 15 Expert Tips. Radon Protection: Buying a Newly BuiltHome, Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction:How to Fix Your Home. . Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. Now You Know What Radon Is, Is Radon Testing Required to Sell a Home. Maine does require that residential buildings be tested for the presence of radon every ten years after they are built, unless they have a mitigation system installed. What is radon gas? Homebuyers in most areas of Florida . Radon certification laws address the businesses and professionals that will be dealing with radongas in homes. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, and the National Safety Council recommend testing your home for radon because testing is the only way to know if your home has radon. For real estate transactions, the radon test is conducted during the inspection period. A kit costs $15.00 if mailed or $10.00 if picked up at a participating County Extension office. by Cooperative Agreement between the US EPA and Kansas State University, 2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 300 - Manhattan, KS 66502 |1-800-SOS-RADON (767-7236) radon@ksu.edu |Contact Us. Even if radon testing isnt required to sell your home, most state and local regulations and ordinances require you to disclose the results of any previous radon tests to the buyer. A professional radon gas inspection, which includes a test, averages between $150 and $300, depending on your homes size. Then, an addendum is written saying the buyer and seller agree the seller will pay a particular dollar amount toward the buyers closing costs. Francesco Scatena/Shutterstock Radon gas is a dangerous colorless, odorless radioactive gas that's produced by decaying uranium in the soil. Texas Real Estate Commission Information About Brokerage Services. When people breathe these particles in, they lodge in the lungs and damage cells. Should I have it tested for radon? The 35 Steps to Building a House: Your Start-to-Finish Guide, 8 Documents You May Need For Tax Filings if You Sold a House. How renters insurance may cover mold damage. The radon test expense is most often covered by the home buyer along with the inspection. Radon can affect your homes value, depending on the level present and what youve done to mitigate it. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil that can enter your home from the soil beneath it. Usually, the cost of mitigation falls on the home seller. Call For A Free Quote: 1-800-299-3578 (toll free). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined, however, that radon levels above four picocuries per liter or higher in the home need attention. Is it dangerous? Insurance carrier website ranking by Keynova Group Q4 2022 Online Insurance Scorecard. Liability of installing the cheapest system before closing may not protect the buyers long-term if a faulty system is installed. Progressive Home policies are placed through Progressive Advantage Agency, Inc. with insurers affiliated with Progressive and with unaffiliated insurers. Recommend sealing those areas before conducting the test to mitigate it Florida Illinois... Never heard of radon before, you are not required during real estate transactions the... 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