Radon Testing

As of 2026, there is no BC statute that mandates radon testing as a condition of selling a residential property. However, licensees operating under the Real Estate Services Act (RESA) and BCFSA guidance have a duty to disclose known material latent defects, and elevated radon concentrations that a seller is aware of could qualify as such a defect. Buyers may include a radon-testing condition in their offer to address this.

Health Canada's current radon guideline recommends mitigation when long-term average indoor concentrations exceed 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m³). This guideline applies across Canada, including British Columbia, and is referenced in BC Radon information published by Health Canada and the BC Centre for Disease Control. Consult the current Health Canada guidance for any updates to this threshold.

Health Canada recommends that a long-term radon test run for a minimum of three months, ideally over the heating season (typically October through April) when windows and doors are kept closed, to obtain a reliable average concentration. Short-term tests of fewer than 90 days are generally considered screening tools only and are not sufficient for making mitigation decisions. A licensed measurement professional can conduct a validated long-term test.

The Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43) does not expressly require strata corporations to conduct radon testing, but a strata corporation's duty to repair and maintain common property may inform decisions about testing in shared spaces such as underground parkades or common amenity rooms. Individual strata lot owners are responsible for their own units, and the strata corporation may address radon-related matters through its bylaws or by resolution. Strata councils are encouraged to consult the BC Radon Information Program and seek professional advice.

Under the Real Estate Services Act (RESA) and BCFSA conduct standards, a licensee acting for a seller must disclose known material latent defects to a buyer, and a radon concentration exceeding the Health Canada guideline of 200 Bq/m³ in a home that the seller is aware of could constitute a material latent defect. Failure to disclose such information may expose the licensee to disciplinary action by BCFSA. Licensees should document any radon test results they become aware of and ensure disclosure obligations are met.

Yes, a buyer may include a subject-to condition in their Contract of Purchase and Sale allowing sufficient time to conduct a long-term or professional radon test and review the results before removing subjects. Because long-term tests require at least three months, buyers and sellers more commonly agree to a short-term professional test or arrange for a licensed measurement professional during the subject removal period. The specific terms of any condition are negotiable between the parties.

Radon measurement and mitigation professionals in Canada can be certified through the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP), which is the nationally recognized certification body. The BC Centre for Disease Control and Health Canada both reference C-NRPP-certified professionals as a reliable resource for homeowners in British Columbia. Buyers and sellers should confirm that any professional they engage holds a current C-NRPP certification.

BC Assessment determines assessed values based on market value under the Assessment Act (RSBC 1996, c. 20), and whether radon mitigation improvements affect assessed value depends on how BC Assessment considers such capital improvements in its valuation process. Radon mitigation systems are typically a health and safety measure rather than a value-adding renovation, so their direct impact on assessed value is generally limited; however, consult BC Assessment directly for property-specific guidance. The Property Transfer Tax Act does not contain provisions specific to radon mitigation costs.

If a seller or their licensee collects, uses, or discloses personal information obtained in connection with a radon test — for example, a buyer's test report shared during a transaction — the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) of BC governs how that information must be handled. PIPA requires that personal information be collected only for identifiable purposes, with consent, and protected from unauthorized use or disclosure. Parties should be mindful of PIPA obligations when sharing test reports or inspection results.

Health Canada and the BC Centre for Disease Control have published radon potential maps and testing data indicating that certain interior regions of BC — including areas of the Kootenays, Okanagan, and parts of the Peace Region — have elevated radon readings, though elevated concentrations can occur in any BC community. Health Canada's Interactive Radon Potential Map and the BC Radon Information Program are authoritative public resources for location-specific risk information. All BC homeowners are encouraged to test regardless of geographic location.