Asbestos safety information

Asbestos is not a risk if it’s left undisturbed.

Some properties built between the 1950s and 1980s used asbestos because it is a strong fibrous material which is a good insulator and is fire and chemical resistant. The use of asbestos was banned in 1999, but a lot of housing stock built before then does contain asbestos materials.

Asbestos can be dangerous if it is disturbed by drilling, sawing, sanding or scrubbing. This will release asbestos fibres into the air and can cause serious lung disease if breathed in. The important thing to remember is that as long as asbestos-containing materials are in good condition they do not pose a risk.

It is Dot Dot Dot policy, in line with Legislation and the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Guidance, to leave asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition in place. However, if they do become damaged please inform us and we will consider how to manage this to minimise risk.

The typical places you may find asbestos are:

  • Exterior Fascia boards
  • Cladding Soffit boards
  • Drain pipes and guttering
  • Corrugated roof sheets
  • Interior Textured ceilings / walls
  • Floor tiles
  • Window / door infill panels
  • Panels behind radiators
  • Duct panels over pipes
  • Undersides of staircases
  • Boilers and other items
  • Interior of boilers
  • Boiler flue pipes
  • Storage heaters
  • Bath panels
  • Sink pads
  • Toilet cisterns

Please don’t:

  • Work on, damage or remove materials containing asbestos
  • Sand down, drill or scrape off Artex when it is dry
  • Drill, cut or sand materials you think may contain asbestos
  • Break off pieces or break up large pieces of materials that could contain asbestos
  • Jet wash or clean asbestos cement products
  • Remove old floor tiles or lino – instead, leave them in place and lay new floor coverings over them
  • Remove textured coatings from ceilings – wash any areas where the paint is flaking before you paint it again


    • Extra advice on asbestos can be found:

    Health and Safety Executive
    Phone: 08708 506 506

    The Environment Agency
    Phone: 0845 345 0055