Asbestos removal in shared housing?

[number41]

Anyone here dealt with asbestos before? Basically a shared house scenario. Bathroom has been stripped out to remove asbestos insulation from the pipes... WITH the tenants still living there!

Landlord wont pay to have the tenants put up in a travel lodge or something for a few days so I've taken one of them in to stay at mine for a few days as theyre a mate.

Ive phoned citizens advice who were useless as usual and couldnt really find anything on google Does anyone have any first hand experience with living in a rented house that is having asbestos removed? Should the landlord place the tenants in a hotel or temp accommodation whilst the work is being carried out under the "duty of care" for tenants?

If anyone has hard facts then that would be great. Not looking for any compensation or stupidness like that but want to help them at least be able to shower, etc and not live in asbestos filled air for a few days!!!

 

[the-void]

I imagine a quick call to the local councils health and safety department will put your landlord right. I don't believe your landlord realises that he can prosecuted and sent to prison for what he is doing. They don't mess about with asbesto any more. The whole area has to be cleaned afterwards professionally to remove all traces, and the removal has to be carried out by a company that is registered to deal with the substance.

Don't hesitate to phone them today. They will be very interested in the procedures your landlord is using for the disposal of asbestos.

I am not 100% sure if you could sue your landlord for putting you in danger, although I am sure you could sue him for breach of contract under the housing act. For that I would speak to a solicitor. I imagine if the contractor isn't licensed then you will have a very good case indeed.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/asbindex.htm

http://www.solihull.gov.uk/section.asp?catid=1034

 

[nutcase]

When you say stripped out, do you mean the suite has gone, and the bathroom is unusable? Or just that panels have been removed, so it's a mess but usable?

At what stage is the removal process at?

Is the bathroom in a usable state?

Most removals from domestic properties are done in one day and leave the room in a usable, if untidy (but clean of asbestos and dust) state for reinstatement - and that is usually next day.

However, every case is different, hence asking.

Bear in mind ACM's (asbestos containing materials) are usually totally harmless if not disturbed. Especially those found in domestic properties.

The rough procedure is:

Survey to find if asbestos present.
If so, decide if any action needed (usually a waterleak means removal is required).
Removal company is contracted to come in and remove.
Independent analyst contracted to inspect and sign off on the job
Reinstatement works.

Some types of asbestos don't require a licenced removal contractor however, such as textured coating (artex) and floor tiles.