What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material. It is resistant to heat, electricity, and chemical damage. Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are versatile and were used extensively as building materials in the UK between the 1950s and 1980s.
Do I have asbestos in my home?
The Council have an Asbestos Register which monitors the condition of known asbestos containing materials in our properties. Due to our safety and management procedures, any asbestos containing materials in your home are likely to be in good condition.
See our Asbestos Safety Policy for more information.
What should I do about asbestos in my home?
Having asbestos in your home is no reason to panic. It is only when asbestos containing materials are damaged or disturbed that they become hazardous.
How do I avoid disturbing or damaging asbestos?
When you move into your home, you will be told if there is any asbestos in your home, it’s condition and where it is located.
If you carry out any DIY jobs such as sanding or drilling, you could potentially release asbestos fibres into the air. You must ask us for approval before carrying out DIY works that could disturb asbestos in your home.
If you think the asbestos materials in your home have been disturbed, stop whatever you are doing and contact us immediately so we can evaluate and manage the risk to ensure your continued safety.
Do not attempt to remove asbestos containing materials yourself. The government advises that if the materials are in good condition, then it is safest to leave them where they are.
The Council have a duty to manage, not remove, asbestos in your home.