Asbestos was widely used in building materials until 2000 and may be present in older council homes.
Asbestos is usually safe if it is in good condition and left undisturbed. It can become dangerous if it is damaged and fibres are released into the air. Breathing in these fibres can harm your health.
We are committed to ensuring that any materials containing asbestos in your home are safe.
Before starting DIY or home improvements
If you think there may be asbestos in your home, contact us for advice before starting any work. We can check our records or arrange a survey, if needed.
Do not start work until we have confirmed it is safe to do so.
If asbestos is damaged or disturbed
If you think asbestos-containing materials have been damaged or disturbed during work, you must:
- stop work immediately
- avoid the area if possible
- do not clean up dust or debris
- contact us immediately
We will inspect the material and arrange any repairs or removal if needed. We will keep you informed throughout the process.
How to reduce the risk
Do:
- keep any material you think may contain asbestos in good condition
- contact us before starting DIY or home improvements
- report damage as soon as you notice it
Do not:
- drill, cut, sand or scrape any materials you think may contain asbestos
- remove asbestos materials yourself
- try to take samples for testing
If you are redecorating:
- soak wallpaper before removing it or use a steam stripper and gently peel away the paper
- do not remove textured coatings from ceilings or walls
- wash flaking paint before repainting
- do not remove old floor tiles or linoleum - leave them in place and lay new floor coverings over them
Where asbestos may be found
The most common locations of asbestos in council homes include:
- facia and soffit boards
- panels beneath window frames
- roof sheets or tiles
- loft cement cold water tank
- old ventilation and soil pipes
- textured coatings and ceiling panels
- hot pipe insulation
- bath panelling
- garage roofs, facia boards and window linings
- panels behind fires or heaters
- fire door panels
- partition walls
- rainwater downpipes and guttering
- service ducting
- roof felt or lining panels
- floor tiles and linoleum products
This list is not exhaustive. Do not assume a material is asbestos‑free because it looks harmless.
How we manage asbestos
We have a policy to manage Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) in our council homes. This includes:
- removing asbestos from inside empty properties during major works or when homes are brought up to the Decent Homes Standard
- complying with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- training our operatives to understand asbestos risks and where asbestos is likely to be found
All our operatives receive Health and Safety Executive guidance through the 'Asbestos Essentials' publication. They also receive 'Asbestos Awareness and Minor Works' training, and appropriate trades are trained to safely remove unlicensed asbestos where required.
Contact us
You should speak to customer services if you have concerns about asbestos in your home.
