Radon Disclosure

Illinois law requires radon disclosure. What do you need to know?

When a buyer and seller sign a contract on residential real estate property in Illinois, the Illinois Radon Awareness Act will apply to the sales transaction. According to the law, the seller must supply the buyer with two documents before the buyer will become bound on a contract to purchase the property. The first is a pamphlet from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) entitled “Radon Testing Guidelines for Real Estate Transactions.” The second is a form to sign called “Disclosure of Information on Radon Hazards.” 

WHAT IS RADON? 
According to IEMA, radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that comes from naturally occurring uranium in the soil and is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

REALTORS® are working to educate consumers about the radon law which affects certain residential real estate sales transactions entered on or after January 1, 2008. The law aims to boost radon awareness and does not require a radon test.

Although the law does not require sellers to test for radon in the home or to reduce the concentration if elevated levels are found, the seller and buyer are free to negotiate whether further testing or remediation are necessary. In most cases, a seller will simply provide the two documents to the buyer before the contract takes effect.

ARE THERE ANY EXEMPTIONS? 
The law only applies to residential properties with “not less than one nor more than four residential dwelling units.” There are some exemptions including residential real estate property transfers that result from the following:

• a court order
• transfer to a mortgagor to a mortgagee after foreclosure
• to a fiduciary through an estate, guardianship, conservatorship or trust
• a transfer between co-owners
• a transfer from an estate according to provisions in a will, or to statue where there is no will
• transfer to a spouse or other blood relation
• a relocation company who has taken the title, where the original seller has provided the required disclosures
• to or from a governmental body
• transfers involving any unit including condominiums or cooperatives located on the third story or higher above ground level.

WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP?
Your REALTOR® can provide you with the required disclosure form and information about where to find the radon pamphlet from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. To learn more, visit www.radon.illinois.gov or read more tips for preparing your home for sale.