Author: Alex Mason

  • Asbestos Surveys: What You Need to Know Before You Start a Renovation Project

    Asbestos Surveys: What You Need to Know Before You Start a Renovation Project

    Renovating your home or business premises? Exciting times! But before you start knocking down walls or ripping out old fixtures, there’s a crucial step you can’t afford to skip: an asbestos survey. Here in the UK, disturbing any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) without proper precautions is not only dangerous but also illegal. This article explains why asbestos surveys are essential, what they involve, and what you need to know before you begin any renovation project.

    The Hidden Danger: Why Asbestos Surveys are Crucial

    Asbestos, once a widely used in construction materials, is a hazardous substance that can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. These diseases can take decades to develop, making it crucial to identify and manage asbestos-containing materials before they are disturbed. Many older properties in the UK still contain asbestos, often hidden in places like:  

    • Insulation: Pipe lagging, loft insulation, and sprayed coatings.
    • Roofing Materials: Asbestos cement roof tiles and corrugated sheeting.  
    • Flooring: Vinyl floor tiles and their backing.  
    • Textured Coatings: Artex and similar decorative finishes.  
    • Ceiling Tiles: Some older ceiling tiles may contain asbestos.  
    • Boilers and Heating Systems: Asbestos was often used in insulation around these.  

    An asbestos survey is the only way to definitively identify the presence and location of ACMs in your property. Without a survey, you risk unknowingly exposing yourself, your family, or your workers to harmful asbestos fibres.  

    Types of Asbestos Surveys: What’s the Difference?

    There are two main types of asbestos surveys in the UK:

    • Management Survey: This survey aims to identify and assess the condition of asbestos-containing materials in a building. It’s designed to help manage asbestos during normal use and occupancy. This is the minimum requirement for most non-domestic properties.  
    • Refurbishment and Demolition Survey: This more comprehensive survey is required before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out. It identifies all ACMs in the area to be worked on, allowing for their safe removal before the project begins. This survey is more intrusive and may involve destructive sampling.  

    What to Expect During an Asbestos Survey:

    A qualified asbestos surveyor will visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection. They will:  

    • Identify potential ACMs: Visual inspection and sampling (if necessary) will be carried out.  
    • Assess the condition of ACMs: The surveyor will evaluate the risk of fibre release based on the material’s condition.  
    • Take samples: Where necessary, samples of suspected ACMs will be taken and sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis.  
    • Produce a detailed report: The report will detail the location, type, and condition of any identified ACMs, along with recommendations for management or removal.  
    Asbestos Surveys

    Choosing the Right Asbestos Surveyor:

    It’s essential to choose a competent and qualified asbestos surveyor. Look for a company that is:

    • UKAS accredited: This ensures the surveyor meets the required standards of competence.  
    • Experienced: Choose a company with a proven track record in asbestos surveying.
    • Impartial: The surveyor should not be affiliated with an asbestos removal company, to avoid any conflict of interest.

    Before You Start Your Renovation:

    • Get an asbestos survey: This is a legal requirement before starting any significant renovation or demolition work.  
    • Review the survey report carefully: Understand the location and condition of any ACMs.
    • Engage a licensed asbestos removal contractor: If ACMs are present, they must be removed by a trained and licensed professional before any other work can begin. Never attempt to remove asbestos yourself.

    Don’t gamble with your health. An asbestos survey is a small investment that can protect you, your family, and your workers from the devastating effects of asbestos exposure. Contact Asbestos Compliance Solutions Ltd today for expert asbestos surveying and management services.

  • Renting a Property: What You Can and Can’t Do in Your Rented Home

    Renting a property in the UK can be a great way to find a home, but it’s crucial to understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. While you have the right to quiet enjoyment of your home, there are certain things you can and can’t do. Getting these lines blurred can lead to disputes with your landlord, so it’s best to be informed from the outset.

    Renting a Property

    What you CAN generally do when Renting a Property

    • Decorate (within reason): You might be able to redecorate, but usually, this requires your landlord’s written consent. Simple changes like hanging pictures are generally acceptable, but painting walls or changing fixtures is likely to need permission. Always ask first to avoid problems later. Your landlord might even be open to it if you propose improvements that add value to the property.
    • Quiet Enjoyment: This is a fundamental right. It means your landlord can’t just turn up whenever they feel like it. They must give you reasonable notice (usually 24 hours) before entering the property, except in emergencies like a burst pipe.
    • Request Repairs: Your landlord is responsible for maintaining the structure of the property and keeping essential services like heating, plumbing, and electricity in working order. Report any necessary repairs promptly and in writing. Keep records of all communication.
    • Have Guests: You’re generally allowed to have guests, but excessive or long-term guests could potentially breach your tenancy agreement, especially if it impacts neighbours or causes overcrowding. Again, check your agreement for specifics.
    • End the Tenancy (with notice): You have the right to leave the property at the end of your fixed term tenancy. You also have the right to leave during a periodic tenancy, providing you give the correct notice as specified in your agreement (usually one month).
    • Complain about issues: You have the right to complain to your landlord about problems with the property. If they fail to address them, you may have recourse through local councils or even the courts.

    What you generally CAN’T do when Renting a Property

    • Make major alterations: You can’t knock down walls, install new kitchens or bathrooms, or make significant changes to the property without your landlord’s explicit written consent.
    • Sublet without permission: Subletting (renting out the property to someone else) is almost always prohibited without the landlord’s agreement. Doing so can lead to eviction.
    • Damage the property: This one’s obvious. You’re responsible for looking after the property and avoiding any damage beyond normal wear and tear. Be prepared to pay for any repairs needed due to negligence or misuse.
    • Be a nuisance: Anti-social behaviour, excessive noise, or causing disturbances to neighbours can be a breach of your tenancy agreement and could lead to eviction.
    • Refuse access for essential repairs: While your landlord needs to give notice, you can’t unreasonably refuse them access for necessary repairs, especially if they relate to health and safety or prevent further damage to the property.
    • Withhold rent (except in very specific circumstances): Withholding rent is generally not advisable. Even if your landlord isn’t fulfilling their obligations, there are usually better ways to resolve the issue, such as seeking legal advice. Check with Citizens Advice or Shelter for guidance.

    Key takeaway

    Your tenancy agreement is your bible. Read it carefully before you sign and keep a copy. If you’re unsure about anything, ask your landlord or letting agent for clarification. Good communication is key to a smooth and stress-free tenancy. And remember, resources like Citizens Advice and Shelter are there to help you understand your rights and navigate any issues that may arise.

    ~ Alex Mason