For owners and managers
Multifamily Radon Testing and Mitigation in Omaha NE
Multifamily radon testing and mitigation in Omaha NE starts with the ground-level units. Here is what the HUD and state rules say, and how a test plan for an apartment building works.
Licensed and insuredMany years serving the greater Omaha area
Why apartment owners test for radon
Radon comes from the soil. Units that touch the ground are where it shows up first.
Many owners test because a lender asks, a tenant raises it, or the building is being sold or refinanced. Others test because they want to know. The EPA's tenant guide covers the renter side and says the owner must authorize any fix (EPA Tenant's Guide). A clear test plan helps you answer both groups with a number.
Own an apartment building? Ask for a test plan
Which rules can apply to a multifamily building
| Situation | What the source says |
|---|---|
| FHA-insured multifamily loan | HUD Housing Notice H 2013-03 calls for a radon report, and for a state license or certificate from the testers and fixers where the state requires one (HUD notice). |
| HUD testing share | In December 2020, HUD changed its policy to require testing of every ground-contact unit, in line with the industry standard (AARST Radon Reporter). |
| Testing protocol | A HUD memo names ANSI/AARST MAMF, 2017 edition, for testing in multifamily buildings (HUD memo). |
| Nebraska license | Anyone who tests for or fixes radon for pay needs a Nebraska license (Nebraska DHHS). |
| New buildings in Nebraska | Radon-resistant construction has been required since September 1, 2019, with listed exemptions (Nebraska DHHS RRNC summary). |
| Iowa side of the river | Iowa requires its own credential for radon mitigation specialists, including out-of-state companies (IAC 641-44). |
Lender rules change over time, so check your loan documents and your HUD program office before you plan a test.
How a multifamily radon job runs
- List your buildings. Send us the number of buildings, floors and ground-level units.
- Agree on a plan. A licensed pro picks the devices, the units and the test length, following the standard that fits your loan or building.
- Place the devices. We set them in the lowest lived-in space of each chosen unit and keep the test honest.
- Read the results. We compare each number with the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
- Fix what needs fixing. Units that read 4.0 or higher get a mitigation plan. The plan may use one system or several, based on the building.
- Retest and report. A test after the fix shows it worked, and you get a report to keep on file.
Plan a multifamily radon test
Tenants, notices and what to expect
Tenants often learn about radon from a test kit or a news story. They may send you a result and ask for a fix. Treat a high number as a reason to confirm it with a professional test. A licensed pro can test the unit and the units around it, then tell you whether one system or several are likely. Large non-residential buildings, such as offices and schools, follow a different standard. See our page on commercial radon inspection. For a single house or a duplex, see radon testing and inspection and our system installation page. To plan the budget, read the average cost of radon mitigation in Nebraska. You can also go back to the home page.
Questions people ask us
Does Nebraska require radon testing in existing apartment buildings?
Nebraska licenses the people who test for and fix radon, and it sets radon-resistant rules for new buildings (Nebraska DHHS). A lender or a HUD program can add its own testing rules, so read your loan papers.
Which units should be tested first?
Ground-level units touch the soil, so HUD's multifamily rules focus on them. HUD says that since December 2020 its policy calls for testing every ground-contact unit (AARST Radon Reporter).
What does the HUD notice ask for on FHA-insured loans?
It calls for a radon report, and for a state license or certificate from testers and fixers where the state requires one (HUD Housing Notice H 2013-03).
What standard do multifamily tests follow?
A HUD memo names the ANSI/AARST MAMF protocol, 2017 edition, for multifamily testing (HUD memo). For larger commercial buildings we also use the MALB standard.
Can a tenant make the owner fix radon?
The EPA tenant guide says the owner must authorize any work in a rental (EPA Tenant's Guide). Tenants who find a high number usually send it to the owner in writing.
Do you work on apartment buildings in Council Bluffs?
Yes. Iowa requires its own credential for radon work, and that includes companies from other states (IAC 641-44). Our crew follows the Iowa rule on that side of the river.