Real Estate Environmental Site Assessment Checklist
Environmental site assessments are essential to commercial real estate transactions and Superfund liability protection. This checklist guides Phase I ESA scope verification per ASTM E1527-21 standards.
- Industry: Real Estate
- Frequency: Per Property Transaction / Every 5 Years
- Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
- Role: Environmental Professional / Real Estate Attorney
- Total Items: 32
- Compliance: ASTM E1527-21 - Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I ESA, EPA CERCLA Section 101(35) - Innocent Landowner Defense, EPA All Appropriate Inquiries Rule 40 CFR Part 312, RCRA 40 CFR Parts 260-270 - Hazardous Waste for Due Diligence
Records Review
Verify all required records searches completed.
- Standard EPA CERCLIS, NPL, RCRA, and LUST databases searched per ASTM E1527-21?
- State environmental database searches completed?
- Historical aerial photographs reviewed from earliest practicable date?
- Sanborn fire insurance maps and historical city directories reviewed?
- Chain of title review completed for prior uses and liens?
Site Reconnaissance
Review site walkthrough observations.
- On-site reconnaissance performed by Environmental Professional?
- Underground or aboveground storage tank evidence evaluated?
- Chemical and hazardous material storage areas identified?
- Asbestos-containing materials and suspect ACM noted?
- Site drainage and proximity to water bodies noted?
- Adjacent property uses and potential off-site RECs evaluated?
Interviews
Verify required interviews completed.
- Current property owner interviewed?
- Key occupants and operators interviewed?
- Local fire department and municipal environmental records reviewed?
- Prior owners or operators contacted where accessible?
- No interviewee disclosure of known contamination or environmental concerns?
RECs and Findings
Document REC findings.
- All Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) identified and documented?
- Historical RECs (HRECs) evaluated for current impact?
- Controlled RECs (CRECs) with regulatory controls evaluated?
- Business Environmental Risk (BER) items noted where applicable?
- Phase II ESA recommendation made where appropriate for RECs?
All Appropriate Inquiries Compliance
Verify AAI standard compliance.
- Environmental Professional meets EPA AAI Rule qualifications?
- Phase I completed within 180 days of property acquisition?
- User questionnaire completed by prospective purchaser?
- Data gaps and data limitations identified and significance evaluated?
- EP's opinions and conclusions documented in report?
Report and Documentation
Verify Phase I ESA report completeness.
- Report compliant with ASTM E1527-21 required content?
- Environmental Professional certification and qualifications in report?
- Supporting documentation (database reports, photos, maps) attached?
- Report limitations section completed?
- Reliance parties identified for innocent landowner defense?
- Phase I ESA report retained in property transaction file?
Related Real Estate Checklists
- Commercial Real Estate ADA Accessibility Audit Checklist
- Landlord-Tenant Dispute Documentation Checklist
- Property Tax Assessment Appeal Documentation Checklist
- Commercial Property Insurance Program Review Checklist
- Real Estate Capital Improvements Planning Checklist
- New Property Management Onboarding Inspection Checklist
- Commercial Lease Abstract and Review Checklist
- Property Condition Assessment Pre-Acquisition Checklist
Related Regulatory Compliance Checklists
- Commercial Lease Compliance Audit Checklist - FREE Download
- Eviction Notice and Lease Termination Compliance Checklist - FREE Download
- Commercial Real Estate ADA Accessibility Audit Checklist - FREE Download
- Landlord-Tenant Dispute Documentation Checklist - FREE Download
- Property Tax Assessment Appeal Documentation Checklist - FREE Download
- Commercial Property Insurance Program Review Checklist - FREE Download
Why Use This Real Estate Environmental Site Assessment Checklist?
This real estate environmental site assessment checklist helps real estate teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for environmental professional / real estate attorney professionals, this checklist covers 32 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per property transaction / every 5 years.
Ensures compliance with ASTM E1527-21 - Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I ESA, EPA CERCLA Section 101(35) - Innocent Landowner Defense, EPA All Appropriate Inquiries Rule 40 CFR Part 312, RCRA 40 CFR Parts 260-270 - Hazardous Waste for Due Diligence. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Real Estate Environmental Site Assessment Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 32 inspection items across 6 sections: Records Review, Site Reconnaissance, Interviews, RECs and Findings, All Appropriate Inquiries Compliance, Report and Documentation. It is designed for real estate operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per property transaction / every 5 years. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
Who should use this Real Estate Environmental Site Assessment Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Environmental Professional / Real Estate Attorney professionals in the real estate industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.