Asbestos

Plasticfreemama

Rights

Thrugelmir

Garages are to store cars. Other items would more than likely be at your own risk. 

Plasticfreemama

This garage is too small to fit in a car. It was used by the landlord as storage before we moved in, and had shelves inside which showed it was for storage purposes rather than keeping a car.

Hasbeen

If you grind the cement asbestos sheets to a fine powder, then sniff it. It will be dangerous to health.
Do not understand why belongings in garage are dangerous?

Plasticfreemama

I did not know the garage roof was made of asbestos. At any time I was informed of it.

davidmcn

It's pretty commonplace for garage roofs to be made of asbestos. No reason why anybody would have to point it out to you.
As above, I would very much doubt that there's been enough dust created to cause any real risk.

Plasticfreemama

I have been told by Shelter that it is the landlord's responsability to provide livable and safe places to tenants, garage included. It is also the landlord's responsability to check on the safety level if they know there is asbestos in living areas that have been rented out. Again, the garage contributes to the amount I pay monthly and therefore the LL is obliged to check and maintain it in good conditions. The company is licenced by HSE and they have certified contamination of the belongings in the garage, so they must be thrown away. It's not something we can say no to as they could contaminate other people. 
What I would like to know is if someone has had previous experiences with this and know if claiming in court is the only route to claim compensation for property loss or if there is any other body that can support us. I

HampshireH

You would need to claim on your contents insurance if you need to dispose and wish to claim. 

Broken cement is an issue as is the debris. A removals company will always say contaminated items must be disposed of appropriately. If they cannot guarentee decontamination and didn't recommend safe disposal they open themselves up to being sued for any illness later in life which could remotely be associated.

They will not recommend any other of than disposal if they cannot decontaminate.

Items are stored in garages at owners risk usually as as above they are for storing cars.

It's irrelevant whether your car fits or not as if it is indeed a garage this would have been its initial purpose. It also makes no difference whether the landlord stored stuff previously.

Plasticfreemama

The disposal is being taken care of by the landlord. He was told by the Health and Safety Examiner that it is his responsibility, there is a licensed company (again, licensed by HSE) and that's been taken care of.
I will ask a lawyer about the possession claim as we have been told we are entitled to, we just need to figure out what is the best course of action or if a court claim is our only option. 

Davesnave

Plasticfreemama said:

I have been told by Shelter that it is the landlord's responsability to provide livable and safe places to tenants, garage included. It is also the landlord's responsability to check on the safety level if they know there is asbestos in living areas that have been rented out. Again, the garage contributes to the amount I pay monthly and therefore the LL is obliged to check and maintain it in good conditions. The company is licenced by HSE and they have certified contamination of the belongings in the garage, so they must be thrown away. It's not something we can say no to as they could contaminate other people. 
What I would like to know is if someone has had previous experiences with this and know if claiming in court is the only route to claim compensation for property loss or if there is any other body that can support us. I

It looks as if your landlord fulfilled their obligation, as above, and is continuing to do so by having the damaged roof replaced in a responsible manner. What, exactly, is your case against them?

You might well be entitled to a rent reduction for the temporary loss of this facility, but I doubt if you have a case for claiming anything else. It's your responsibility to insure your personal belongings against damage by fire, storms, floods etc.

Thrugelmir

Plasticfreemama said:

This garage is too small to fit in a car. It was used by the landlord as storage before we moved in, and had shelves inside which showed it was for storage purposes rather than keeping a car.

In days gone by cars were much smaller than they are today.