Asbestos
Asbestos is found in many older buildings as it was commonly used as a building material in the UK before it was banned in 1999. When damaged, asbestos can release small fibers into the air which may cause disease.
A lot of our properties were built before 1999 when asbestos was banned, meaning some properties may contain asbestos. This is normal and there is no cause for concern. Asbestos is only an issue if any materials containing asbestos have been disturbed or damaged.
What are we doing about asbestos?
We actively survey all communal areas of our properties to ensure they are safe and well maintained. Part of this inspection includes surveying the condition of any asbestos materials as required by the Control of Asbestos Regulations. Where necessary, we will instruct specialised contractors to attend to remove any damaged or disturbed material. It is not necessary to remove asbestos which is undisturbed or in good condition.
If your home is going to have cyclical improvement works such as a new kitchen or bathroom, we will always assess for asbestos, and if any is present where the works are occurring, we will remove this safely before continuing with the refurbishment.
What should you do about asbestos?
If you think there are materials in your home that contain disturbed or damaged asbestos, please contact us. We will arrange for an inspection to establish the next steps. Removing asbestos is a job for expert contractors, so please do not remove any materials you believe may contain asbestos yourself.