Asbestos is present in millions of domestic properties across the UK. If your home was built before 2000 — and particularly if it was built or substantially refurbished between 1945 and 1985 — there is a real possibility that asbestos-containing materials are somewhere within the building fabric. This guide covers everything a homeowner, house buyer or landlord needs to know.
Where Is Asbestos Found in Domestic Properties?
- Artex and textured ceiling coatings — widespread in properties decorated before 1985
- Asbestos floor tiles — in kitchens, hallways and utility rooms; often hidden under newer flooring
- Asbestos cement garage roofing — highly prevalent in post-war suburban properties
- Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) — in fire doors, ceiling tiles and partition panels in larger pre-1980 homes and conversions
- Asbestos soffit and fascia boards — under roof eaves; often not replaced during re-roofing works
- Pipe lagging and boiler insulation — in older properties with pre-1980 heating systems
- Behind bath panels, in airing cupboards, on partition walls — various insulation board products
Buying a House With Asbestos
There is no legal requirement for sellers to disclose asbestos in residential properties in England and Wales, and standard homebuyer surveys do not include asbestos identification. If buying a pre-2000 property with a garage, original ceilings or older kitchen floor, an asbestos survey is strongly advisable before exchange. Knowing ACM locations before completion allows you to negotiate on price, plan renovation works accurately, and avoid accidentally disturbing asbestos during early redecoration. Pre-purchase surveys are carried out by our trusted surveying partners — see our surveys page.
Planning Renovation Works
An R&D Survey is a legal requirement under CAR 2012 before any refurbishment works that will disturb building materials in a pre-2000 property. Full kitchen or bathroom renovation, loft conversion, extensions, and replacement of windows, doors or soffits all require a survey first. Builders who disturb undiscovered asbestos without a survey are breaking the law — as potentially is the homeowner who commissioned them without requiring a survey.
What Does Domestic Removal Involve?
The process depends on ACM type: Artex and floor tiles are NNLW in most cases — wet removal, RPE required, hazardous waste disposal. Asbestos cement garage roofs are NNLW — careful controlled removal, hazardous waste disposal. AIB and pipe lagging are licensed — full enclosures, NPUs and four-stage clearance. All domestic projects include full documentation and EA waste consignment notes.
How Much Does Domestic Removal Cost?
See our dedicated guide on domestic removal costs for a full breakdown. For our full domestic service see our domestic removal page and our homeowners and landlords page.