Adapted from the presentation at the 2017 National Radon Training Conference and with permission of the presenter, Melinda Lewis, Illinois Emergency Management Agency
There is no law requiring that a radon test be performed on residential properties. However, the Illinois Residential Real Property Disclosure Act requires sellers to disclose known radon levels of 4.0 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or more. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has designated 4.0 pCi/L as the action level, the level at which mitigation is recommended to reduce indoor radon levels.
The Illinois Real Property Disclosure Act of 1993 included radon disclosure on a checklist that states “I am aware of unsafe concentrations of radon on the premises.”
This legislation was strengthened with The Illinois Radon Awareness Act, signed into law August 16, 2007, with an effective date of January 1, 2008. The Radon Awareness Act of 2008 mandated disclosure of radon risks and measurement information by a seller to a buyer prior to the buyer making an offer to purchase a home.
Radon is important to realtors for several reasons:
- Buyers may walk away from a poorly handled radon testing and mitigation problem.
- Potential Personal Liability, Radon Industry Licensing Act (RILA) and the Radon Awareness Act (RAA).
- Customers appreciate a caring professional.
A real estate continuing education course, licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate, provides realtors with information about radon in real estate transactions. The class offers three CEUs for realtors.
For more information about how Illinois works with real estate professionals, contact:
Melinda Lewis
Bureau of Radiation Safety, Radon Program
Illinois Emergency Management Agency
(217) 785-9889
Radon Hotline: (800) 325-1245
Radon Website: www.radon.illinois.gov
United States