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We want to reassure you that if asbestos is present in your home we are managing it - our priority is to keep you, and any of our contractors who may work on your home, safe. If you follow this advice you will have no reason to worry.
Asbestos is the name given to naturally occurring fibrous raw materials found in many parts of the world. Asbestos fibres are strong and resistant to heat and chemicals. This led to their use in a wide range of building materials and products. Asbestos is no longer used in the UK for construction or refurbishment - its use has been banned since 1999.
Asbestos in the home is not a problem as long as it isn’t disturbed and is in good condition.
When asbestos deteriorates, becomes damaged, or is disturbed - for example by drilling or sanding - fibres can be released into the air. If you breathe these fibres in, you are at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease which can, in some cases, lead to death.
Most materials containing asbestos in homes are of low risk, but even so, contact with these asbestos fibres should be avoided. If asbestos is in a position where it might be damaged easily, it may be better for it to be removed.
Removal of any asbestos material needs to be carried out by a licensed contractor.
We will advise you if this is the case and will arrange to have the work done for you.
Common materials that may have contained asbestos in the past include:
Loft or cavity wall insulation does not contain asbestos.
We have a database which holds information on all the homes we own and manage, with specific asbestos information recorded against each address.
The database is used to monitor and manage any asbestos-containing materials. This may involve us revisiting selected homes regularly to carry out checks on certain asbestos materials.
Where required, we will carry out specialist surveys to make sure our records are kept continually up to date. There are different types of survey, some of which involve taking samples of materials suspected of containing asbestos, which we’ve listed here. These samples are then tested. More in-depth surveys can involve some disruption, but we will discuss this with you beforehand if we have to carry out this type of survey.
The law doesn’t require that we remove materials that contain asbestos from your home, but if a suspect material becomes damaged and is reported to us or noted on a routine inspection visit, we will arrange the necessary repair or removal work.
We will also be revisiting homes to survey them prior to any major works, such as installing a new bathroom or kitchen.
Where we have to remove asbestos, we will pay for this work.
If you have asbestos materials in your home, extra care should be taken when carrying out DIY.
Do not do any work which involves drilling, cutting, or disturbing materials suspected of containing asbestos. Special precautions are required if this work is absolutely necessary.
Do not scrape or sand suspected asbestos materials before painting or decorating. Some types of asbestos materials are very soft and can release large numbers of fibres if rubbed or scraped.
You should contact us via your portal or at contact@twenty11.co.uk for further specific advice before you attempt any works.
You must not attempt to remove any asbestos yourself. All work must be carried out by a competent person or by a licensed contractor, depending on the type of asbestos. Asbestos waste must be removed and disposed of in an approved manner, in line with the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 and our procedures.