Interested in a house - asbestos in the extension

mooncake89

Hi all,
We're feeling very conflicted about what to do. I'm wondering if anyone can offer advice/ideas.

On the weekend we put in an offer for a house (our 8th attempt to buy... but that's another story... ) and waited until today to hear back from the EA, after they submitted our offer to the vendors (who are the previous occupant's children, as the house is a probate sale). We have just been told by the EA that an extension built in the 70s contains asbestos (asbestolux) - from what I can gather from plans forwarded to us, it's around the lintels and possibly also used as insulation within the walls and roof. They are now waiting to hear back from us about what we want to do (at this point, we don't know how our offer was received or what other interest there is in the property). Things typically move extremely fast where we are looking and the house just came on to the market about a week ago. It's in a very nice location but does need considerable updating. It is not particularly cheap... probably much in line with similar properties that have come up in the region.

I suppose my question is: is the wisest thing to do to walk away from this house? Is that sensible? Silly? I know asbestos is common in older properties but it does make me very nervous to think that it's there. As I say, the house needs a fair bit of updating, including in the rooms that the asbestos is present in, so I'm not sure at this stage how that will affect our plans. I have horrible images of the whole extension needing to come down or just a ridiculous amount of work/cost involved. Perhaps also some fear about it being there, even if at the moment it's safe, in part because of how it's made us feel and it doing the same to another potential buyer when it comes time for us to sell again (not planning to for a decent chunk of time, but even so). I would rather it all be removed but appreciate that this is likely to cost and may not be recommended by a professional. 

In order to get to the point of hiring an asbestos survey and quotes for possible removal we will obviously need to have had an offer accepted and already be somewhat financially out of pocket. At the moment we're torn between going for this option (i.e. sticking with our offer and either pulling out or attempting to renegotiate further down the line if costs are considerable), straight up lowering our offer given this new information, or withdrawing our offer completely. I've been trying to do some research but my head is in a spin and I can't think what the sensible option is. Is this worth the hassle or not as much to worry about as I'm fearing? 

What would you do?

AdrianC

As a rule of thumb, anywhere built before the mid-80s or so will almost certainly contain asbestos in some form. If you're going to run screaming at the very concept, you need to stop looking at older properties.

Slithery

As long as you don't grind it into a fine powder and snort lines of the stuff there's nothing to be worried about.

mooncake89

We are just quite inexperienced in house buying, I suppose (although trying to learn all we can) and don't know what's a 'normal' amount of asbestos to expect or when it may become a particular problem (e.g. if needing to take out an old bathroom suite and the room contains asbestos in the walls, floor and in the lintels associated with the extension, I'm imagining this could be some fairly costly work?). Obviously without being able to have a professional come and take a look yet, I'm just thinking worst-case scenario... that needing to poke around near it all might lead us into costly trouble. I understand most older properties will have some, and usually you'd probably never even know about it, it's more the way the information was presented to us and it almost being assumed that we'd want to reconsider going ahead. 

Keswick1uk

We had a asbestos tile roof which was the original 1950s roof and had deteriorated in recent years. When we replaced the roof, because the asbestos was going to be moved,  the roofer had to get it formally tested to understand the grade, treat it appropriately which included a special sort of bagging up and it was collected and disposed of by a special contractor who took it to a weighbridge to advise on the actual cost of disposal.

We had to pay for this in addition to the roof cost and it cost us about £1000, but rates have probably changed since then.

As other say, many older homes have asbestos somewhere, but it does cost a bob or two if you need to work on that room.

Davesnave

Asbestolux was used as a sheet for boxing-in and partitioning,  not for cavity or loft insulation.  I well remember my Dad, fag in mouth, sawing the stuff up to make cupboard linings in the crummy old houses we did up in the '60s. He lived to 95....

If the stuff is sealed by painting and you know it's there, there's probably little to worry about, so I wonder why this amazingly honest agent has enlightened you. A proper asbestos survey is called for, but I'd offer based on the fact that I could withdraw later, if necessary, and also keep viewing (maybe not with that agent!) All's fair in love and house buying.

JJR45

Personally I look at it like this, If it is an issue for you it is likely going to be an issue for another buyer as well in the future.
If that does not bother you, go ahead if it does perhaps pull out or renegotiate to remove.
You never know what future government policy will be regarding houses so limiting issues is always wise.

Scotbot

Odd that the agent has told you now that you have offered and also odd that they know about it. I would ask them how come they are aware of it. Likely that the sellers have found some documentation and feel the need to disclose it so they are not liable but that does not mean it is any more of a problem than any other house of the same age. You cannot possibly renegotiate until you know the size of the problem. Ask for more details, if pressed tell the agent the offer still stands subject to the normal survey and searches.

verytired11

I also find it curious that the agent told you about this - that suggests that a previous buyer may have pulled out for this reason.  I would ask the agent whether there has been a previous survey/report etc.  I also think that if you are worrying about it and hate the thought of it being there, that will never quite go away for you so it might not be the right property for you.

GDB2222

Asbestoslux is not the worst problem, assuming the sheets are holding together. Still, I would budget for having it removed by a licensed company, which will cost a few thousand pounds. You can probably just paint over it and pretend that it is not there, but it may be better to deal with it during renovation work.

Jumblebumble

Most houses in our street have asbestos sheets in some ceilings  as they have integral garages most of which are now converted.
Am I bothered ?
No