Asbestos

What is it and where is it?

Asbestos was a commonly used building material and can be found in many properties built before 2000.  It was mainly used for insulation and fireproofing, often mixed with other materials.  It’s not used in construction today.

It’s not dangerous to anyone who lives in or enters a property containing it, unless it is damaged or disturbed. Drilling into asbestos, for example, can release potentially harmful dust or fibres.

Asbestos can be found in, but is not exclusive to, these areas in some homes:

• insulation board
• gutters, rainwater pipes, water tanks, garages or shed roofing sheets
• textured coatings, such as artex ceiling finishes
• floor tiles, tile adhesive and textiles
• sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls and beams for fire protection
• pipe lagging

DIY & home improvements

If you’re a tenant and want to do some DIY, please get in touch with us first, so we can check our records and let you know if asbestos is present.

You can contact us by logging in to MyHARCA and submitting a Home Alterations Form.

We may carry out an asbestos survey to your home if we think it’s needed.

Stay safe

• DIY, including drilling, sawing, scrubbing, sanding and pulling up floor coverings including carpets, may release asbestos fibres which could put the health of your household at risk
• If you’re a leaseholder, you will need to arrange and pay for an asbestos survey and any associated work required to remove asbestos
• Always use an approved contractor who is licensed with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• You can find a licensed asbestos removal contractor on the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) website

Email us at housingteam@poplarharca.co.uk if you have any questions about asbestos in your home.

Asbestos Policy