Asbestos: The Law for Homeowners

Asbestos was used throughout the UK as a budget building material at one time, although it has now been banned due to its health hazards. It can cause a number of fatal and debilitating diseases, which you can find out more about in our resources section. The current asbestos regulations do not include homeowners. This means that, as a homeowner, you are not under any obligation to arrange for surveys or the removal of any asbestos that may be located within your home. This is because asbestos in homes in the UK often has a negligible health risk, although there is still a chance that it may be dangerous. If asbestos is left undisturbed it is harmless, but as soon as it becomes damaged or starts to degrade, it can begin to release asbestos fibres. These fibres can cause a multitude of diseases which can drastically reduce a person’s life expectancy. So, while you may not have to carry out asbestos surveys by law, it is certainly worth it if you would like to safeguard your family’s health. If the contractor working on your property rules that your asbestos containing materials (ACMs) need to be removed, they can handle this task for you, or you can do it yourself. You will then need to arrange for the disposal of your ACMs through your local authority. For more information, contact NIC today.

For more information on Asbestos: The Law for Homeowners talk to Northern Insulation Contractors