Asking about radon reports when a home has changed owners
How to handle previous radon testing reports and environmental disclosures when buying a home that was recently sold.
The short answer
When a property has changed owners, the current seller may only have reports from their own purchase or recent updates. Under the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act, sellers must disclose material defects of which they have actual knowledge. Always request all historical reports and verify the date of any previous testing against current IEMA-OHS protocols.
Assessing Historical Documentation
Sellers are not required to perform new investigations. If they possess reports from their own purchase, they should provide them as part of their knowledge of the property.
Always verify if the testing was performed by a licensed professional. Reports from unlicensed individuals may not reflect accurate current conditions.
Determining Current Validity
Environmental conditions can change over time. A report from several years ago might not reflect current radon concentrations.
Check the date on any provided report. If the test is older than the current IEMA-OHS recommendations for real estate transactions, it is prudent to conduct a new test.
Addressing Knowledge Gaps
If a seller states they have no knowledge of radon, it is not an indicator of safety. It merely indicates a lack of information in their possession.
Ask: Have any structural renovations occurred since the last known test that might impact the building's ventilation or radon levels?
Illustrative Review Worksheet
Hypothetical Scenario: The seller provides a report from 2020. The current year is 2024. The report is four years old.
Planning Action: Do not rely on the 2020 report. Use it to establish a history but schedule a fresh test with a licensed provider to update the data set.
Checklist
- Request all past radon reports held by the current owner.
- Confirm the testing professional was IEMA-OHS licensed at the time of the test.
- Evaluate the date of the report against current property conditions.
- Determine if structural changes were made post-testing.
- Conduct a new, independent test if historical data is insufficient.
Common questions
Does a previous owner's test report satisfy my disclosure requirements?
It may be part of the documentation you receive, but you are not relieved of the responsibility to ensure the current safety of the home through your own professional testing.
How old is too old for a radon report?
While there is no strict statutory expiration for a report, environmental conditions change. Any report not reflective of current home conditions should be supplemented by a new test.
Sources
- Illinois Residential Real Property Disclosure ActChecked October 12, 2026
- IEMA-OHS — Real estate radon guidanceChecked October 12, 2026
- EPA — Real estate lead-hazard disclosuresChecked October 12, 2026
- FEMA — Flood mapsChecked October 12, 2026
This guide is general educational content from SQFT IO, prepared with AI assistance. It is not legal, tax or loan advice. Talk with a licensed attorney, tax professional or lender about your situation. SQFT IO Illinois license 478.027617.