Additional Crawlspace, Slab, and Apartment Placement Questions

Question 1

I'm renting a basement apartment. Radon is 5.3 pCi/L. Is that normal for a basement unit?

Accepted Answer

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

Question 2

I'm renting a basement apartment with high radon. What can I actually do about it?

Accepted Answer

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

Question 3

I own the ground-floor unit in a condo building. Is the building's HOA responsible for radon mitigation if it's elevated?

Accepted Answer

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

Question 4

I live in Minnesota. Is radon a bigger issue here than elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

Question 5

The buyers of my house want a radon test re-done because the first one was 4.1. Should I work through the next step or just get it fixed?

Accepted Answer

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

Question 6

I'm buying a house and the radon test was 3.7 pCi/L. Should I work through the next step mitigation into the deal?

Accepted Answer

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

Question 7

I'm a landlord renting out a basement unit. Do I have a paperwork obligation to address radon?

Accepted Answer

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

Question 8

I found out the house I rented for the last 5 years had 8 pCi/L radon the whole time. Can I do anything?

Accepted Answer

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.