Asbestos

Asbestos was used widely in the building industry and can be found in several products and materials.

Asbestos is safe if the material is undamaged or not disturbed. We complete asbestos surveys of all our homes. If we do find any issues, we will take action to make sure your home is safe.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos was commonly used as a building material from the 1950s to 1999. It was often mixed into materials like cement and plaster so could be found in products such as:

• panelling inside airing cupboards, lofts and to the rear of boiler cupboard doors
• gutters, water tanks, garage or shed roofs
• textured ceiling finishes (artex) applied to walls and ceilings
• floor tiles including adhesives
• pipe lagging

Remember, asbestos in good condition is not a hazard.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

The fibres or dust released when asbestos is damaged or disturbed can cause serious lung diseases. The symptoms of these diseases might not appear for up to 30 years after exposure to asbestos, so it’s vital to protect yourself today.

How we deal with asbestos

Where asbestos is identified, we will log the:

• location
• type
• condition

If we find asbestos there are several options and what we do will depend on the risk.

We may:

• remove the asbestos
• encapsulate or ‘coat’ it with a sealant paint
• leave it in place and regularly check its condition (you should phone us if it later becomes damaged or deteriorates)

We use contractors who hold a license to do this type of work safely while following all regulations.

I think there is asbestos in my home

Leave it alone. You may come across it when doing some DIY. Do not cut, drill, sand, scrape or try to remove any asbestos-based materials. If you don’t know for certain if something contains asbestos, it’s safer to presume it does.

Email our Resident Services Team, or contact us via our main contact centre. We’ll be able to advise you, and if needed, we will come and check.

Health and Safety Executive

You can also visit the Health and Safety Executive’s asbestos page for further information.