Asbestos Removal

[skyegilchrist]

Hi guys, so me and my partner are coming into a council house property.
Due to repairs when we don't know when but today we noticed that there is asbestos removal being done to the property, I would just like to know if I would be allowed to request the decor to be stripped and the place be cleaned by the council before we move in?

I am 19 weeks pregnant and do not feel comfortable after seeing the team in there.

Thanks

You mean they are removing the asbestos? Surely cleaning it up is part of the removal? I’m not sure what you mean by the decor being stripped? The council needs to make sure the house is habitable. Why don’t you tell them your concerns and ask them to clarify the situation.

Did they have an enclosure outside? Or did you just see a van?

If enclosure and decontamination unit etc it will be being removed and being done under strict regulations and cleaned up and checked afterwards with an air test to check it's safe.

If you just saw a van it could be that they're just surveying house for possible asbestos and there maybe isn't any there.

They will leave it safe though don't worry

Yes they are removing asbestos now.

There is wallpaper and painting already been done by previous tenants, we were told we will be responsible for making it a blank canvas and re decorating.

I was fine with this until I found out the are removing asbestos, obviously they will have to clean once they are finished but now I don't feel comfortable being left to strip the previous tenants decor.

I don't know if a have a right to ask them to do this or if im being rude

There was a van and a big machine thing making a vibrating noise, with warning signs etc. I seen people in suits and masks who I asked what they were doing and said they were removing it

Sorry if I sound silly, I don't know much about this sort of thing and just want the new property to be as safe as possible for our baby.

Isn't the whole point that this work will make it safe. The council may have a programme of checking and removing asbestos as and when properties come up for reletting. They will make it good but probably not decorate beyond areas affected, most often ceilings or garage roof.

Asbestos removal is done under an incredibly strict regime - not just for the benefit of residents but also because there are people who do it for a living and they have to be kept safe, for obvious reasons. They will have been incredibly rigorous in how they deal with it - they will have to have been - and your property will be safe. To be honest, your new home will almost certainly be less contaminated than about 90% of properties built before around 1980, as there is asbestos everywhere. It only really becomes a problem if it's disturbed or shedding.