Builder buried asbestos in our garden

Dr House

Dr House

Dr House

Soldato
Joined
17 Oct 2002
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Location
London
So I bought this house at auction a few months ago. It was a new build however there was an old bungle which was knocked down to make way for the new house (we decided to keep the house and my parents move into it now)

We have been digging in the garden to landscape it but keep finding chunks of asbestos, I am quite concerned as there is a massive amount of building rubble under the deck which is also probably has lots of asbestos in it.

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As you can see from the photo there is probably 3+ tons of rubble under the deck.

I really have no idea what he next course of action is, go see a lawyer? Contact the builder, contact the guy who sold it to us? Call the council?
 
I'm assuming this is the UK? If it is, I would be inclined to speak to CAB, then I would imagine you would end up at your solicitor.

Again, this is assuming it's bad asbestos and nothing else.
 
When was the bungalow knocked down? Was it before or after asbestos became such high profile bad news?

If it was after, I'd have thought there was grounds to sue for the costs of making the land good.
 
Meh, buying land can be a very expensive chore - the reason why environmental surveys have to be done is because, generally speaking, you are responsible for what lies on your land, which in certain cases may lead to expensive clean up operations.

I do not know what the state of affairs is with auctions - how much information did you have pre-sale? Were there any undertakings regarding the condition of the land?

Either way, I'd probably be seeing a solicitor pronto.
 
Yes its in London, we had someone come out to clear a bunch of rubble that the builder did not clear from the front garden and they would not touch it because they say there is asbestos in it.

EDIT, the old bungalow was knocked down around 4 years ago.
 
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Asbestos is fine if you leave it alone.

As you are saying you are finding chunks that would suggest a non notifiable asbestos rather than a fibrous one. If you keep finding it whilst digging, all you could do is bag it up.

HOWEVER it should be tested to see what it is and don't touch it, no other advice is acceptable, stay away from it, nasty stuff asbestosis.



I'd be more worried about the tar and other rubbish that'll come out those sleepers when they get hot and the lack of handrail on your raised bit.
 
I forgot to add, I hope this situation resolves itself as best as it can, as I can imagine this is quite stressful. Best of luck in resolving this in your favour :)
 
Thanks for the info and link everyone.

I assume this is going to be quite a expensive cleanup operation.

maccapacca said:
I'd be more worried about the tar and other rubbish that'll come out those sleepers when they get hot and the lack of handrail on your raised bit.
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Lol yah we need to put a glass balustrade up but the thing is 38 ft wide by 15 ft so its rather expensive at 500 quid per m so its not on the top of our list of priorities but we will put it up soon

Rotty said:
I'd also sue whoever built that fence :eek: ;) :p
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Yah they could have done a better job :D
 
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