Do I Need An Asbestos Survey?

The question “Do i need an asbestos survey” comes around a lot. The answer to the question depends upon a number of different things.

Firstly - If you building was constructed after the year 2000 you do not need an asbestos survey. Asbestos was banned in the UK at the end of 1999.

If however you are one of the following you will require a asbestos survey and associated risk assessment and management plan (if asbestos is located in your survey);

• You own a non-domestic property

• You lease or manage a commercial property and it is in your contract to maintain, manage or provide upkeep (unless stated in contract)

• You control a building but have no contracts in place

• You own a building which you lease out but you retain maintenance and upkeep for asbestos.

If you are classed as any of the above you are known in asbestos terms as “The Duty Holder”. This status places strict legal duties on you. You must adhere to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and associated guidance for the management of asbestos in buildings.

The Duty To Manage applies to all types of buildings. The only exception to this is private domestic properties (home owners) where no legal duty survey or manage is currently in place. One exception to this is shared communal areas within properties such as hallways, lofts, bin stores and lifts where multiple residencies are within the same block and typically owned by management companies.

As the duty holder you need to ensure you have the correct type of survey undertaken to reduce the risk of asbestos being disturbed or damaged.

There are 3 types of asbestos survey;

Management Survey

Refurbishment Survey

Demolition Survey

See more on asbestos survey types here.

If you are a company working on a property you will always require an asbestos survey if the property is older than 2000. This includes all types of property alongside domestic properties if your staff are likely to be exposed to asbestos. It is the contractors duty to request a asbestos survey on domestic properties if asbestos is likely to be located or disturbed.

If in doubt please contact our asbestos consultants who will be happy to take you through the legal requirements 01913545870.