Survey identified possible asbestos in artex and garage.

Sandgrownun

As above, we are buying a house built in 1955 and with some serious 70s decor. Not really surprised that the survey brought this up but I am surprised the bank has asked for asbestos testing before completion. Last time I bought was in around 2007 and the house was Artex'd to the maximum but it was never mentioned to my recollection.

If there is asbestos in the artex, does anyone have experience of what the bank requests is done? Would they put a retention on the mortgage until it's sorted? We were going to skim the walls anyway, if we have to pay for removal we may pull out of the sale as that's likely to be thousands in my understanding.

Any experiences people have had with this will be gratefully received!

Sandgrownun

Ps the garage roof I already suspected, not too worried about that as it's not integral and is quite far from the house.

davidmcn

Haven't encountered a residential lender asking for asbestos tests, and no idea what their response is if it's positive - after all, the usual requirement (for commercial premises etc) is simply to keep a register of asbestos, not necessarily remove it.

Sandgrownun

Yes I thought it strange but then I've not bought for 10 years so I wasn't sure if it was a new thing.

My understanding is that artex doesnt particularly pose any health risks. Really don't want to get into removing it totally but I would be happy to skim it as we would be doing that anyway. Millions of houses must have artex behind the smooth walls and nobody is any the wiser!

goodwithsaving

I've never heard of that, are you able to disclose who the lender is?

I must admit, it's getting harder to sell and buy in this country. There is so much ar*e covering from surveyors, lenders etc, and FTBs freak at the most bizarre things. (I know you're not an FTB, it's just a general :-) )

Satisfy your lender, but I wouldn't let it put you off the property.

chocomonsta

hi

I recently bought a flat and survey suggested asbestos in walls, ceilings and floor tiles. I spoke to an 'expert' via the council and he suggested as long as everything was covered up, via plaster or flooring it was not a problem. Asbestos is only a problem if you drill in to it as such and release the fibres, that is what I was told. My thoughts are that if you buy a property that has it all covered up you might drill, or hammer something and unwittingly release the fibres from the asbestos that you are not aware is there! Mine was a cash sale so obviously didn't affect the mortgage.

Sandgrownun

Thanks all. The lender is Accord.

Just been to the house and there's actually only three ceilings that look to be artex, then the garage so a local company has quoted £175 + vat to test them so not too bad. I'm quite confident now that it won't come back asbestos other than the garage so not too worried!

Will be interesting to see if it does come back what the lender want us to do. We will be skimming the whole house anyway as it needs updating.

m0bov

Try another lender, I had issues with Accord some years ago, I had a car loan which was going to be repaid but they still would'nt lend me the full amount even though I supplied a letter from the finance company!

ed67812

But the mortgage lender wouldn't care if it was all skimmed by the current owner as the surveyor wouldn't have commented upon it. Ive said it before, I'm more worried about the red meat in my diet than the asbestos in my artex. Some types and application of asbestos would worry me, artex wouldn't.

Sandgrownun

Yes that's what I thought. Only think I can think of is that the surveyor is v risk averse, also the ceiling in the dining area isn't in good condition due to whst appears to be an old leak. So if it was artex it may be damaged however don't actually think it's artex anyway.