Advice and guidance on how to deal with asbestos in your home.
While well-maintained asbestos in your home does not pose a health risk, if any of it has to be removed, or is damaged by DIY work, it can damage the health of your household. That is why it is very important that all Council tenants seek permission from their local area housing office before carrying out any alterations in their home. You can find more information in our tenant guide (PDF, 121 KB).
Asbestos in homes
Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are unlikely to have been used in properties built since the mid-1980s, and from 1999 the use of asbestos in products has been banned.
The hazards of asbestos
Generally speaking asbestos is not dangerous. It only becomes dangerous if asbestos-containing materials are damaged or deteriorate with age. When damaged, asbestos releases tiny fibres into the air. Breathing in these fibres can cause serious damage to the lungs.
Asbestos areas
Asbestos is most commonly found in:
- fascia and soffit boards
- panels beneath window frames
- roof felt or lining panels
- roof sheets or tiles
- roof cement cold water tank
- old ventilation pipes
- textured coatings and ceiling panels
- hot pipe insulation
- garage roofs
- garage fascia boards
- bath panelling
- garage window lining
- panels behind fires or heaters
- fire door panels
- service ducting
- partition walls
- garage rainwater downpipes
- floor tiles and linoleum.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Taking action against asbestos
If you think any material contains asbestos, or if you think your home contains damaged asbestos material, then don't try to deal with it yourself. Contact the Housing Repairs Centre on 01738 476000.
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