HUD Multifamily Radon Testing Requirements

Radon testing is now a requirement for both new HUD multifamily construction as well as refinancing of any HUD / FHA loan. There are dozens of very specific requirements to get a radon testing report approved by a HUD lender.  It is imperative to select the right company to perform the multifamily radon testing and create the required reports.  This page covers only some of the key testing requirements in effect in 2021.

Testing is Now Required in All 50 States

In 2013 HUD required radon testing for multifamily properties in zones 1 and 2 from the EPA radon map.  The updated 2021 HUD multifamily testing requirements now change that to all 3 radon zones.  States like Texas or Arizona, that were in zone 3 and were most often not tested, now require radon testing going forward.  This is a challenge because many of these states do not have sufficient local testing companies to conduct the needed testing.  That is where Utah Radon Services can help.  We service 36 states and send our own certified employees to the testing location to make sure the testing is done correctly and to HUD’s high testing standards.  By using our own employees on-site to perform the testing, instead of contractors commonly used by other testing companies, we can ensure accuracy, professionalism, and the highest quality testing and reporting.

HUD Radon Requirements

• All HUD multifamily loans require radon testing.  This includes new construction, purchase or refinance of existing multifamily housing including moderate-income, elderly, managed-care, and nursing home housing in all 50 states.
• HUD requires radon testing or mitigation to be “performed under the supervision of a Radon Professional.” (See definition of Radon Professional in the HUD notice.) Both testing and mitigation of a large building can be extremely complex and should only be performed by a trained and knowledgeable professional.
• 100% of the ground floor units, offices, common areas, or other occupiable spaces must be tested.  10% of each of the upper floors must be tested as well.
• Specific quality control procedures (QAQC) must be followed such as chain of custody declaration, 10% duplicate tests, 5% blanks, and 3% spiked tests.
• A building must be tested if a system is already installed to ensure that it is working correctly and continues to reduce radon concentrations to acceptable levels. Post mitigation/clearance testing is required to ensure the new radon systems are effective at lowering the radon to below the action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
• The final radon report must include specific information such as building description, whether during testing, anomalies during the test, etc.

Don’t leave your multifamily radon testing to the local home inspector or radon mitigator.  Unless they are experienced in performing this testing, you will likely not get the reports you need.  We have seen many HUD radon testing projects have to be completely retested by a different company due to problems with the first round. 

If you have any questions regarding multifamily radon testing or would like to talk to us about testing an upcoming project, please feel free to contact us at 866-476-2773.