60s built house - will it be asbestos?

[KindleMum]

I've seen a house I really like and it was built in the early 1960s. I've been thinking about what problems are likely with a house built then and asbestos comes to mind. It was built by an individual rather than by a large building firm if that makes any difference. It also has textured walls/ceilings and I don't know if they're actual Artex or not.

I'm going back for a second look, what can/should I look out for? If it is built with asbestos, I think I'd just have to walk away as it needs quite a bit of work doing and I don't fancy refitting kitchens/bathrooms etc with the extra complications of asbestos safety.

There are different kinds of asbestos. It isn't a problem unless you disturb / damage it and it becomes airborne. Artex ceilings can be plastered over to contain the asbestos, rather than sanded down for example.

If you are thinking of work then check if your builder has an asbestos disposal licence. If not, someone else needs to do that part of the work. We had to have our house checked before work could begin - one part ( a ceiling) we thought would have asbestos in, didnt. But it is in some roof tiles (that we are not changing so no concern) and in a heat place above the range (which is being boxed in, but could easily be removed in one contained piece).

If you are seriously concerned then you could suggest that the house owner commissions an asbestos report so all potential buyers aren't put off. Or you could offer to go halves? Ours was about £350 including the tests.

A report sounds like a good idea. If we get as far as agreeing a price, I will get one done. That seems a very reasonable price. If there is asbestos, that would be a deal-breaker for me unless it was easily removed or somewhere that you would never touch. I know it's only a problem when you disturb but we'd do work on various things so we would be disturbing it - if it's there! I'm not sure I'd feel happy just plastering over Artex either- surely if you then want to change light fittings or wiring, the asbestos would be a problem again.

My dad had workmates who suffered from asbestos and I remember what they were like with it so I'm probably more wary than most, especially when it comes to my children. Whatever house we buy next is meant to be our "forever" house so I don't want the prospect of asbestos control every time you want to drill a hole in a wall.

I personally wouldnt touch a property until it had been removed, whilst we know a lot about it there is still loads we dont know, dont get paranoid as its all around us, China still uses it freely!, Its mainly long multipul exposures that are an issue, but I just dont like the stuff, but thats me I wont buy a house built on a tip either

If the house is 1960s build it is very likely there there will be some asbestos-containing materials, which may have to be taken into if you plan to refurbish.

Our last house was an 80s build ex-council house and had a few bits, mainly in the meter cupboard, and some floor tiles.

Springforward - I'm really surprised at that. I thought the UK had stopped using asbestos in residential buildings by the 80s. Having said that, it being in a meter cupboard wouldn't bother me as I wouldn't be putting picture hooks etc into meter cupboards.

On second look, the potential Artex isn't Artex so that's one less worry. I think I would still get an asbestos report with the structural survey though as we would want a lot of work done and I can't afford to budget for it all and then suddenly find there's asbestos and a whole load of extra costs and procedures. Hoping it's good though as I really like the house.

Zumo - yes, I don't get paranoid about it but equally I want to be able to drill into the wall when I want if I need to. It's partly the unpredictability - I knew people who'd worked with my dad who got it on almost no exposure and others who'd had loads and were fine. Like so many things in life, you just never know.