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Original poster

Asbestos

17 replies

Asian · 14/07/2023 10:33

Hello All,

My mortgage agency valuation report has flagged that there is possibility of Asbestos in the house. The mortgage has been approved. I am worried and was wondering if I need to get a full fledged survey etc Please advise

OP posts:
Peony654 · 14/07/2023 10:35

Our survey report (level 2) did as well but honestly I think they always say there's a risk with certain age properties. Ours is likely in the Artex ceilings which we're going to get plastered over. You can get asbestos testing done once you move in- it's pretty cheap

Loobydoobies · 14/07/2023 10:39

Asbestos seems scary, but as the previous poster mentioned, is likely to be in houses past a certain age (it was used into the 90s). Did they say where they susepcted it might be? What kind of survey did you have? The valuation survey wouldn't usually provide anything other than a valuation, so would this be a homebuyers (level 2) one?

It's fine as long as it's not disturbed- and if it is removed, you need to ensure it's done by a professional who knows what they are doing and how to dispose of it/work with it.

Original poster
Asian · 14/07/2023 10:53

Peony654 · 14/07/2023 10:35

Our survey report (level 2) did as well but honestly I think they always say there's a risk with certain age properties. Ours is likely in the Artex ceilings which we're going to get plastered over. You can get asbestos testing done once you move in- it's pretty cheap

Thanks. We need to get flooring fixed and add a bathroom to this house, would we need to get the testing done before that?

OP posts:
Original poster
Asian · 14/07/2023 10:54

Loobydoobies · 14/07/2023 10:39

Asbestos seems scary, but as the previous poster mentioned, is likely to be in houses past a certain age (it was used into the 90s). Did they say where they susepcted it might be? What kind of survey did you have? The valuation survey wouldn't usually provide anything other than a valuation, so would this be a homebuyers (level 2) one?

It's fine as long as it's not disturbed- and if it is removed, you need to ensure it's done by a professional who knows what they are doing and how to dispose of it/work with it.

No the Halifax valuation report has flagged the same.

OP posts:
SELondonLurker · 15/07/2023 15:59

Hi OP,

Our survey flagged asbestos in our roof - it sounded insanely scary and we were ready to pull our offer.

Instead, we did a walk through the house with our surveyor where he spoke to us more frankly and more openly than what is put in the report. Long story short, he said it’s likely (but test needed to confirm) that the roof is made of asbestos, but it is in good condition, no breaks and no signs of pores leaking out. So there was no action needed UNLESS we were doing any building works - such as a loft extension or major roof repairs.

We went ahead with the purchase (having negotiated a £10k price reduction) and had an asbestos sampling survey done on the roof (used Salvum) - £150. Confirmed it was asbestos, but as we thought, in good condition.
2 years later we did a loft extension, and after the scaffolding went up we used a great company called All Asbestos to remove the materials and dispose of them (providing us with the certs to show it had been done correctly) - £3.5k. Cost of the new roof - £5k (a whole new roof would be more than this but part of it was covered as standard by the loft extension).

Get a test done to find out exactly where the asbestos is and go from there. If it’s throughout the entire house I’d be negotiating a reduction.

Original poster
Asian · 15/07/2023 16:59

SELondonLurker · 15/07/2023 15:59

Hi OP,

Our survey flagged asbestos in our roof - it sounded insanely scary and we were ready to pull our offer.

Instead, we did a walk through the house with our surveyor where he spoke to us more frankly and more openly than what is put in the report. Long story short, he said it’s likely (but test needed to confirm) that the roof is made of asbestos, but it is in good condition, no breaks and no signs of pores leaking out. So there was no action needed UNLESS we were doing any building works - such as a loft extension or major roof repairs.

We went ahead with the purchase (having negotiated a £10k price reduction) and had an asbestos sampling survey done on the roof (used Salvum) - £150. Confirmed it was asbestos, but as we thought, in good condition.
2 years later we did a loft extension, and after the scaffolding went up we used a great company called All Asbestos to remove the materials and dispose of them (providing us with the certs to show it had been done correctly) - £3.5k. Cost of the new roof - £5k (a whole new roof would be more than this but part of it was covered as standard by the loft extension).

Get a test done to find out exactly where the asbestos is and go from there. If it’s throughout the entire house I’d be negotiating a reduction.

Thanks a lot, yes booked an Asbestos survey for the house. The survey should happen next week, hopefully all goes well. We really love this house and it fits in our budget, proximity to schools, proximity to the our social circle and in a nice area. I am not sure the owner would negotiate further on the price, since he is already offering us lower than the market standard but would still give it a try if asbestos are found.

OP posts:
Serena73 · 15/07/2023 17:03

Our survey raised the possibility of asbestos in the roof and porch. Didn't get it tested until recently when realised it looked worn and when the windows were open it was only inches from the indoors. Got it tested 10 years after moving it, it was not asbestos. 1920s house.

Serena73 · 15/07/2023 17:05

Sorry, not 10 years after moving it, just 'moving'... we didn't do anything to it!

Original poster
Asian · 15/07/2023 17:19

Serena73 · 15/07/2023 17:03

Our survey raised the possibility of asbestos in the roof and porch. Didn't get it tested until recently when realised it looked worn and when the windows were open it was only inches from the indoors. Got it tested 10 years after moving it, it was not asbestos. 1920s house.

Thanks for sharing your experience. The only reason we are getting it tested is because we need get flooring work and also get a bathroom built in this house. Hopefully it is not there and we can carry out the work seamlessly.

OP posts:
lljkk · 15/07/2023 17:54

DS has asbestos in NINE places in property he just bought. It's the low grade contained version that amateurs are allowed to remove, but still requires expensive disposal option at special tips. The worst place is in floor tiles downstairs that must be removed, also in a garage that needs to come down. He got £3.5k off for the asbestos we knew about, but to get pros to remove all what's there, about £9k cost. So we will do a mix, some can be removed more easily than others by us, some the pros will remove, some may stay in situ but needs work to keep it there, some is too difficult to remove anyway.

Fun and games.

lljkk · 15/07/2023 17:55

ps: at this point I'm more worried about lead in paint on wood work &/or pipes, something else to be careful of. DS is a safety nut so will have high grade masks & filters, etc.

Pix56 · 15/07/2023 18:52

Most houses built before 2000 will have asbestos in some form. I wouldn't worry too much.

Original poster
Asian · 15/07/2023 19:17

lljkk · 15/07/2023 17:55

ps: at this point I'm more worried about lead in paint on wood work &/or pipes, something else to be careful of. DS is a safety nut so will have high grade masks & filters, etc.

Yes, I am safety nut too and obsessed with perfection. Once I get to know where it is, will look at options to get it removed. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.

OP posts:
Original poster
Asian · 15/07/2023 19:19

Pix56 · 15/07/2023 18:52

Most houses built before 2000 will have asbestos in some form. I wouldn't worry too much.

Yes I would try and ignore it, if house dint need work since the house needs fair amount of work, I would need to get it tested to avoid touching places which had asbestos.

OP posts:
Asian · 30/07/2023 23:25

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Flair223 · 25/10/2023 19:10

I am in the process of purchasing a property. We have viewed the house twice and whilst there walked over the flooring (picture attached). I have since realised this may be asbestos flooring. Some of the tiles have come away (not sure if this has happened naturally or this is because someone has lifted them up). The house has been empty for years and was very dusty anyway. Is my health at risk from my brief visit to this house?

Asbestos
Knownoone · 15/12/2023 14:09

Flair223 · 25/10/2023 19:10

I am in the process of purchasing a property. We have viewed the house twice and whilst there walked over the flooring (picture attached). I have since realised this may be asbestos flooring. Some of the tiles have come away (not sure if this has happened naturally or this is because someone has lifted them up). The house has been empty for years and was very dusty anyway. Is my health at risk from my brief visit to this house?

No, Asbestos pose a health risk if you are exposed to it in large quantities over number of years. Nothing to worry,

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