Radon Disclosure Requirements When Selling a Home in District of Columbia
Radon Disclosure in District of Columbia Real Estate Transactions
District of Columbia does not have a standalone radon disclosure statute. However, sellers are generally required under property disclosure laws to reveal known material defects, which includes known elevated radon levels. If you have radon test results showing levels above 4 pCi/L, failing to disclose this could create legal liability after the sale.
What Buyers Should Know
If you are buying a home in District of Columbia, request a radon test during the inspection period. District of Columbia is in EPA Zone 2, indicating moderate radon potential. A professional radon test costs $125 to $350 and takes 2 to 7 days.
If the test shows levels above 4 pCi/L, you have several options:
- Ask the seller to install a mitigation system before closing
- Negotiate a price reduction or closing credit to cover mitigation costs
- Accept the results and install mitigation yourself after closing
Radon mitigation in District of Columbia costs $800 to $2500. A properly installed system reduces radon by 80% to 99%, so elevated radon should not be a reason to walk away from an otherwise good home.
What Sellers Should Know
Proactive radon testing and mitigation can make your home more attractive to buyers. If you know your home has elevated radon and you install mitigation before listing, you can present the post-mitigation test results showing safe levels. This removes radon as a negotiation point and speeds up the closing process.
The cost of mitigation ($800 to $2500) is typically less than the price reduction a buyer would negotiate if they discover elevated radon during inspection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does District of Columbia require radon disclosure?
District of Columbia does not have a specific radon disclosure law, but sellers are generally required to disclose known material defects, which can include elevated radon levels.
Do I need a radon test to sell my house in District of Columbia?
No state law requires testing, but most buyers in EPA Zone 2 areas will request a radon test during the inspection period.
Who pays for radon mitigation in a home sale?
This is negotiable. In most transactions, the seller either installs mitigation before closing or provides a credit to the buyer. The typical cost of mitigation ($800 to $2,500) is small relative to the home price and rarely causes deals to fall through.