Illinois Radon Awareness Act
The newly enacted Illinois Radon Awareness Act went into effect on January 1, 2008. REALTORS® should have general knowledge about the Act.
Before a buyer will become bound on a contract to purchase real estate the seller will be required to provide a pamphlet entitled “Radon Testing Guidelines for Real Estate Transactions” and the Illinois Disclosure of Information on Radon Hazards.
The Illinois Radon Awareness Act and the Illinois Real Property Disclosure Act requires that a seller of a home disclose information if aware of unsafe concentrations of radon in the home. The acts do not require that testing or remediation work be conducted. However, many relocation companies and lending institutions, as well as home buyers, request a radon test when purchasing a house. Sellers and brokers are cautioned to err on the side of full disclosure of material facts prior to entering into a purchase agreement.
Visit the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Division of Nuclear Safety’s (IEMA) Radon Publications page for the Radon Testing Guidelines for Real Estate Transactions Pamphlet and Factsheet
Visit the Illinois Association of REALTORS® Radon Disclosure page for access to the Radon Disclosure Form and more information regarding the new Act.
Disclosure forms are also available for purchase at any of our 4 branch locations. To order online for delivery please complete our Contracts Order Form and fax to (773) 427-0179.
What is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive element that is part of the radioactive decay chain of naturally occurring uranium in soil. You can’t see radon. You can’t smell radon and you can’t taste radon. Unlike carbon monoxide and many other home pollutants, radon’s adverse health effect, lung cancer, is usually not produced immediately. Thus you may be exposed to radon for many years without ever suspecting its presence in your home.
Testing For Radon
If you would rather that a trained professional perform your test, the radon program has the names of qualified, licensed Measurement Professionals in, or near, your area. IEMA recommends professional testing in real estate transactions. Find Radon Professionals & Technicians.
Radon Education
REALTORS® Real Estate School is offering a continuing education course on Radon & Real Estate. More information