Asbestos garage roof

keith969

Rule number 1 in any matter which might end up with court action: its far better to say nothing than to tell them what your defense is. If you feel you must, get your solicitor to draft the reply, else just keep quiet.

G_M

Whilst anotherjoe's response is a valid and sensible defence, I agree with keith above - at this stage you do not enter into dialogue, or justifications.

Less is more. I would not even respond.

davidmcn

Also relevant is

£1800.... we don't have that kind of money

i.e. sue us if you want to, but you're wasting your time as we're broke.

gardner1

OP.......it's a long shot but do you still have bank statements from then which would proof of purchase

hazyjo

I'd also be concerned for your husband who was (maybe) obliviously drilling into asbestos during fitting

Even if for that reason alone I would be looking at taking it further with the company who sold it to you at this stage rather than, God forbid, if anything resulted from it in the future.

Good luck! Keep us informed.

Jo_Fish

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied. It great to have support and confirming what we thought was true.
We have no bank statements as we paid cash...that's sort of what you did 13 years Ago....
At the beginning of all this after the buyers had their survey done we did our own, we too were shocked to find asbestos in the sheets. At the time when renewing the roof in 2003, I was pregnant so not only did my husband risk his health putting on a new roof but I was also potentially risking my own and my babies health. We would never of put anyone at risk if we had of known.
All this is so very stressful and unnessary ������

Jo_Fish

Out of interest what happens if it does go to court and we have to pay out? We have no money....!? Would they make us take out a loan or such like to pay them off....I have no experience of this kind of thing and it's worrying me to death!

keith969

Jo_Fish wrote: »

At the beginning of all this after the buyers had their survey done we did our own, we too were shocked to find asbestos in the sheets.

When was this? Are you saying you had a survey done a year after you sold it? What communication did you have with them With respect to having your own survey done (and by whom was it done)? I do hope for your sake this is not interpreted as an admission of responsibility...

keith969

Jo_Fish wrote: »

Out of interest what happens if it does go to court and we have to pay out? We have no money....!? Would they make us take out a loan or such like to pay them off....I have no experience of this kind of thing and it's worrying me to death!

Unfortunately it's a gamble. If they took you to court and you lost, you would have to pay not only the £1800 or whatever, but they may be awarded costs (their legal fees etc) which could be significant. If you won, you may recover your own legal fees. The third option is you settle out of court, e.g you agree with them to split the cost. Lastly they might just be trying it on and have no money to take further action.

I'd wait and see what their next move is, and in the meantime keep quiet and do not be intimidated by threatening letters. If they do serve a summons, then you might be wise to settle out of court.

glasgowdan

If it gets to that I'd want to know why it's being replaced. If just for the sake of it then explain it doesn't need replaced!