Home Buyers and Sellers Coming to Agreement on Radon Testing
One of the details for Radon testing during the home sales process is where the Radon test will be located. It's best to choose a place where you will spend most of your time. Renny our cute Radon Robot illustrates by adding a bit of humor to this important topic.
Questions for Home Buyers and Sellers
During the home sales process, it is important for the buyer and seller to come to an agreement about how Radon testing will be handled as the sales process progresses. Because Radon levels can affect health, safety, and even the timing of a real estate transaction, both parties benefit from discussing the details early. Whether the home has already been tested or if a new test is needed, clear communication helps ensure that everyone understands what will be done, who will arrange the testing, and how any necessary mitigation will be addressed. Working out these details up front can make the entire home purchase smoother and more predictable for everyone involved.
If you are buying or selling a home that has not been tested for Radon, the EPA recommends both parties consider including provisions in the home purchase contract, such as...
- Where the test will be located in the home?
- What type of test will be used?
- Who will pay for the test?
- How will results be delivered?
- What is the deadline for delivery of results?
- Buyer and seller should also agree who will pay for any necessary Radon mitigation.
These recommendations are especially important for Lake Tahoe area home buyers and sellers. Why? Because the Lake Tahoe area has high Radon levels in homes. (Those high levels are explained elsewhere in this Radon at Tahoe guide.)
These Negotiations Are Important
We feel that, since all of these recommendations are very important, we would not skip any of the EPA's points. However, what if the real estate market is super hot? What if you really want the property (or are super motivated to sell it) - especially a property in such a beautiful place as Lake Tahoe? What if there is bidding competition or another circumstance that presents the need for a speedy transaction? Nobody wants to kill the deal when it comes to the purchase process. But, everyone wants a healthy home.
How you approach the topic of Radon and testing and the contractual agreement regarding Radon testing is just one of the many choices buyers and sellers will have to make during the home sale process.
Something helpful in this case may be if the home is in a state or county that mandates a format for dealing with Radon disclosure, or if the state or county requires Radon testing and mitigation for real estate transactions. Then, the laws and regulations are all spelled out for both buyer and seller. However, none of these requirements apply to Lake Tahoe. Therefore, the real estate agreement is what both parties make of it.
About This Page
You are viewing our Review of the EPA's Guide to Radon for home buyers and home sellers. If you want to know what this series is about, or want to start at the start, you can view more by clicking on one of the navigation links below. Or, go to the start.
This series is provided to inform about Radon at Lake Tahoe and beyond. On each page, you can view more by clicking on one of the navigation links below.
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