Asbestos in your home
We recognise that asbestos presents a risk in tenants’ homes
We carry out specialist surveys on all our homes to identify the location and condition of any asbestos
We aim to keep you safe and make sure there is no accidental release of asbestos fibres during refurbishment work or repairs. We will not normally remove undamaged, well maintained and undisturbed asbestos products, as they are perfectly safe
If your home does contain asbestos, you should avoid damaging it in any way. Asbestos fibres in the air, if inhaled, can cause a number of harmful diseases, the effects of which only become apparent after many years
By law we have to hold a register of where asbestos has been found. We continually update this through our ongoing surveys
DIY and Asbestos
Don’t
- Don’t drill, sand or scrape anything you think might contain asbestos
- Don’t try to remove textured coating from walls and ceilings. Wash any areas of flaking paint before repainting
- Don’t try to remove old floor tiles or linoleum. Leave them in place and lay new coverings over them
Always
- Always soak wallpaper before removing. If possible use a steam stripper and the gently peel away the paper before redecorating
- Always remember to refer to your tenancy handbook before carrying out any improvements, DIY or repairs
If you’re not sure if you have asbestos in your home we can provide you with a copy of your home’s asbestos survey. You can also find this in your tenant pack.
Contact us 0800 408 0000 | technical.services@cbh.org
If you are concerned that the condition of any material you believe to be asbestos is in a poor state please, please contact Cheltenham Borough Council:
01242 262626 | enquiries@cheltenham.gov.uk
Asbestos – the facts
What is asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occuring mineral that was used extensively in building materials from the 1950s onwards. The use of asbestos was phased out from the 1980s and it is considered that since the year 2000 all buildings and building products are free from asbestos. If the home you are living in was built before 2000 it is likely that it contains asbestos.
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos fibres and dust are potentially very dangerous if inhaled in high concentrations over a period of time. They can cause serious lung disease. The symptoms of these diseases often do not appear for 15 to 30 years after exposure to asbestos.
What is the risk?
Many people have concerns about asbestos, but undisturbed asbestos does not pose a risk to health. However, care should be taken to prevent the release of fibres. Carrying out home improvements and repairs to your home is probably the most common way asbestos is disturbed. You should only carry out this type of work when you are sure that asbestos will not be disturbed. If you are unsure, always contact us for advice.
What to do if you are concerned about asbestos in your home
It is very hard to identify asbestos containing material by sight, but if you suspect that they are present it is best to treat suspicious materials as asbestos until proven otherwise.
Don’t panic. Leave the material alone
Wherever possible, prevent people from disturbing the material or from entering the room it is located in
Contact us. We will determine whether a material contains asbestos and how to deal with it safely
Do not attempt to remove any form of asbestos yourself
Asbestos Policy (243 KiB)