Asbestos....HELP!!

[floyd 1.8 turbo]

As above, as some will know i've just bought my first house. We've had problem after problem and the latest is there's asbestos in the house which was discovered when the structural survey was done.
The estate agent is saying it needs to be checked by a specialist at a charge of £410+vat, then they do a report on what needs doing and then carry out the work needed.

I've been told the seller has to pay for this and the removal of it if necessary, apparently its the law?

Please help!!

 

[NHN]

Asbestos is a serious health hazard & requires specialists to handle this, so the costs probably are right & yes it is most likely law mate given asbestos is extremely bad for you.

So what does the seller say, as surely if you knew this was present on the survey, then the stipulations of purchase would of been for the seller to remove the stuff or discount the property to cover the cost of removal & repair of the area it is used in.

 

[Sarah's A3]

The seller cant really complain as it will stand who ever buys the house. Its something he will have to sort so the property can proceed to be sold.
As Nige said, its highly dangerous, one of the worst! Good luck mate

 

[AndyMac]

People seem to think asbetos will kill you if you just look at it, but it is actually totally harmless unless it becomes airborne.
So an asbestos roof on a garage is nothing to worry about and removal is fairly safe as long as the panels are handled carefully to avoid breaking them. If it's in the house then I imagine it is pipe lagging of some sort, which again does not necessarily need to be removed unless it is damaged or is located in an area where it could be easily damaged. Removal, unless done extremely well by a pro hazardous waste removal company, can cause more trouble than leaving it in situ. the area has to be completely sealed, the contractors suited up with a shower area on entry/exit, negative air devices used to vent the area etc etc. After it is removed you need to ensure you get independent air tests done to ensure the job has been done safely. But whether its the law or not the seller is liable for all the costs and they could be considerable, just make sure it's not don on the cheap.

 

[NHN]

Have a good read OP, 1 source of info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos

& advice

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/homeandcommunity/planning/doingworkyourself/dg_10022562

 

[sidibear]

A type one survey costs around £250 but they basically turn up, look at it and tell you that it might be asbestos. Type 2 is what you need when they take samples, prices vary but it isn't cheap, and this isn't the kind of thing you want to skimp on. Kinda like buying a parachute, you wouldn't buy a £20 one from Aldi for instance.
Type 3 is where they rip out ceilings to have a look etc.

Most houses built before 1980 will probably contain asbestos of some sort, even if its just pipe lagging, plumbing gaskets, rendering / artex or even Marley floor tiles.
As said earlier, its not harmfull if you don't disturb it or put it into the atmosphere. Most of my downstairs walls were artexed when I moved in, they have had several coats of paint over the years and would be considered safe, even though I know there is blue asbestos present.
I am under no obligation to remove it.

I think Oracle are down your way, they are a recomended asbestos company, if I find their number I will post it.

Googled them instead
http://www.oraclesolutionsltd.co.uk/index.htm

 

[unkle]

Me and my bro (he's a builder and I like smashing things) are free tuesday we'll come round £100 each cash in hand yeah deal or wot eh??

 

[voorhees]

The seller has to pay,my mate sold his house and had to pay for the removal of an asbestos roof.

I would be very careful regarding asbestos as I have seen what it does up close and personal,my dad happened to be in a building in which the roof was being prepped for painting and thirty years on mesothelioma was diagnosed,it took 18 months to kill my dear Dad aged 59.
Pipe lagging killed Steve McQueen of the very same disease,very dangerous stuff which you should leave to the experts.

 

[floyd 1.8 turbo]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies, I'm fully aware of the dangers of asbestos. What i really wanted to know is who's responsibility it is to pay for the inspection/removal.

Thanks voorhees, is this the law do you know? I'm sure its down to them to pay for it

 

[Gops]

We had an asbestos roof when we bought the house but i cant remember the seller paying for it. She was an old woman going into care anyhow i think. But if you do have asbestos, doesn't the council pay something towards the removal?

 

[Dazmo]

My mum and dad recently bought a new house, quite an old house! they bought the house and completly renovated everything.

They knew it had asbestos when they bought it (they did get £75,000 off the asking price), but as they had carpenters, builders, electricians, plumbers,all on sitet they all offered for a few hundred quid to get rid of it as they went and they did a damn good job of it too.

Cost them about £500-£600.00 but in the end they got rid of all of it, no silly reports or forms to be filled in.

However... If if you could get the seller to remove it and it cost you nothing i would do that!!

 

[floyd 1.8 turbo]

My father in law is a builder and said he'd get rid of it but we dont have the keys yet! Santander have seen the survey report and seen it mentions asbestos so now they want a full report on that before they release the funds.

We put the offer in for this house (our first) in january and its still going on, so many problems its unreal. Absolute joke