Asbestos surveys provide an extremely important function for both residential and commercial properties – but we are often asked whether they are actually a legal requirement.
Asbestos surveys in of themselves are not a specific legal requirement, however, in many cases it is legally mandatory for those responsible for properties to have an asbestos management plan in place, and a survey is an important first step in compiling this plan.
As such, it very much depends on the specific circumstances of the building, to establish whether it is a legal requirement or not. In some cases, it may not be mandatory, but having the survey carried out can be a hugely important way to minimise the risk of asbestos exposure.
Building owners and commercial properties
The most recent asbestos legislation – the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 – states that if you are responsible for a non-residential property that was built before 2000, you have a duty of care to mitigate the risk of exposure to asbestos to anyone who is working at or visiting the property. To do so, you must have an asbestos management plan in place.
When you have an asbestos survey carried out, this will form the basis of your asbestos management plan and, as such, it is a legal requirement to do so.
Homeowners
Any home built before 2000 could contain asbestos – as such, many homeowners wish to have an asbestos survey carried out. Firstly, this is to check whether asbestos is present in the property. And secondly, it is to minimise the risk of anyone in the household being exposed to asbestos. While this is not a legal requirement, it is an important step for the safety of your property.
If you are a landlord or a property management company that is responsible for a block of flats or a leased property, you have the same requirements as the owner of a commercial property, and must have an asbestos management plan in place.
If you would like to learn more about having an asbestos survey conducted, or if you would like to book a re-inspection survey, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Crucial Environmental today. We can provide you with details about how our surveys are carried out and a quote to have your property surveyed.