ASBESTOS

As of October 2004 all companies have to have carried out an asbestos survey of their premises and produced a register of all known or suspected asbestos containing materials within that property. Domestic premises are not covered by this legislation however communal areas in flats and apartment buildings are required to have one. The purpose of this register is to prevent accidental asbestos contamination due to  building works - or even drilling a hole to put up a picture.  Before any work on the fabric of a building is to be carried out a review of the register should be made to ensure the safety of workmen and persons local to the work being carried out.

 

There is no requirement to remove asbestos, unless its condition and location is such as to produce and unacceptable risk of inhalation of released fibres. However the survey may indicate areas where monitoring of the condition of  the material is required or where some remedial work should be carried out (coating or covering).

The obligation is on the owner of the property to provide the register, however if you rent or lease property and the owner does not provide the information the responsibility defaults to you! (of course the report is yours and when you leave you can always sell it to the landlord!)

For more information on Asbestos survey