Asbestos

[Djjuran]

We've had the result of the survey and there is asbestos everywhere. Ceilings, under flooring and in cupboards. The electrics also need rewiring. The EA is saying that we should have known these things would need doing.

What do we do now?

What kind of asbestos? If it's the artex stuff it's not a problem, just don't drill it. Plasterboard over it..easy job.

Rewiring - was it not obvious it needed doing? Budget around £2k for that.

Asbestos as you describe is very unusual and your offer has to be rethought.

It might cost some thousands to remove. You will need a specialist company to quote. Your local authority will advise. You might decide not to buy the house. It affects the saleability and value. If the house has been under offer before and the buyers pulled out for the same reason then the agent should have been aware. You cannot be expected to have known.

If the electrical installation is very old then you could be expected to notice when viewing, but if it has been badly renovated it might not be obvious.

If it is an old house or in poor condition then you can expect that it will need some work.

George - I wouldn't feel my home was secure plastering over artex. That also means you can't put new light fightings in or down lighters etc.

PJohn - thanks for your advice (as always)

Well if it only artex I think you're being silly - many (most?) houses of a certain age have it, and it causes no problems at all if you don't disturb it. Are you a first time buyer?

I would be concerned if it was asbestos like piglet john suggested but artex is very common and not a problem.

You think it's silly to want to change lighting in a house and being unable to because there's asbestos

or

you think I'm silly being worried about asbestos in the house?

I presume the house is 30s-70s build? In which case I think it is silly to expect it not to have artex - they pretty much all do. If it worries you that much I wouldn't look at houses of that age.

We changed our light fittings no problem on artex.

George - I do hope you didn't drill through artex. It could contain asbestos (as we've found out). One fibre is all it takes.

It's easy to change, I really don't need a warning I know how to handle artex! I wouldn't have bought a house of that age if I didn't.

www.asbestoswatchdog.co.uk/advice/guidance-notes

"One fibre is all it takes."

I thought that particular phrase had been discredited years ago?

If the asbestos is under the floorboards and lining cupboards, it's not just a bit of artex. It can be removed safely but costs £££ - if you like the house, don't be put off but expect a substantial discount. It will be impossible to rewire without disturbing at least so.e of the asbestos.