Interested in a house - asbestos in the extension

mooncake89

Thanks everyone.
As to how this came about, supposedly another interested buyer had asked for the extension plans and and as it's written clearly on there that asbestolux was being used they thought they would let us know as well (from what I understand you legally have to tell a buyer if you are aware it's there). The EA also said that there has been no dedicated asbestos survey but that they're telling us now to avoid us attempting to renegotiate further down the line (surely, though, if the asbestos did turn out to need considerable attention, that would be a valid cause to attempt to renegotiate?). This is the second time we've tried to offer on a property with this agent and they've dramatically told us after offering that there's some problem or other but there's someone else with exactly the same offer who doesn't care about it at all. 

Slithery

mooncake89 said:

surely, though, if the asbestos did turn out to need considerable attention, that would be a valid cause to attempt to renegotiate?

Nope. You have to expect that there will be asbestos in any property of that age. The asking price will already take this into account.

JJR45

mooncake89 said:

Thanks everyone.
As to how this came about, supposedly another interested buyer had asked for the extension plans and and as it's written clearly on there that asbestolux was being used they thought they would let us know as well (from what I understand you legally have to tell a buyer if you are aware it's there). The EA also said that there has been no dedicated asbestos survey but that they're telling us now to avoid us attempting to renegotiate further down the line (surely, though, if the asbestos did turn out to need considerable attention, that would be a valid cause to attempt to renegotiate?). This is the second time we've tried to offer on a property with this agent and they've dramatically told us after offering that there's some problem or other but there's someone else with exactly the same offer who doesn't care about it at all. 

Just take it into account with your offer, if you are worried about it and the future cost, factor it in.
Worst they say is no and you can walk away.
I presume the ea is thinking you will change you offer now you know, or what was the point of telling you.

Mickygg

You probably wont be happy until it's been removed so I would offer based on knowing you will pay to remove. 
Most old houses have asbestos, mine included. All I do is be careful so dont drill into it or sand down etc. 
It wouldnt stop me from buying though. 
I have had some close shaves though, such as finding out my old flooring probably had asbestos glue on them but I worked on it without even realising. However the big issue with asbestos is having often brushes with. 
My grand f was known to handle asbestos a lot and drilled into, creating  dust that was either left or brushed up later on. No masks or gloves even. He lived well into his 90s.

Sure be careful, but it will take a lot of exposure to cause a health issue. 

Ramouth

Mickygg said:

You probably wont be happy until it's been removed so I would offer based on knowing you will pay to remove. 
Most old houses have asbestos, mine included. All I do is be careful so dont drill into it or sand down etc. 
It wouldnt stop me from buying though. 
I have had some close shaves though, such as finding out my old flooring probably had asbestos glue on them but I worked on it without even realising. However the big issue with asbestos is having often brushes with. 
My grand f was known to handle asbestos a lot and drilled into, creating  dust that was either left or brushed up later on. No masks or gloves even. He lived well into his 90s.

Sure be careful, but it will take a lot of exposure to cause a health issue. 

That isn’t entirely true.  The amount of exposure is a factor but so is susceptibility.  Some people with very low exposures have developed problems in later life while others with much higher exposure survived unscathed.  I was told of a story where a lady developed cancer from asbestos from hugging her father (who worked with it) as a child whereas he was fine.

In the context of houses though, it is generally fine if left undisturbed so you just need to be aware where it is and make contractors aware when you have work done (the exception being lose fill insulation which could be releasing particles into the air).

Aspiration

OP - My advice would be to go in with an offer to secure the property if you think it’s the right one.

Try to instruct a solicitor with no fees if you don’t complete so you’ll get the sale of memorandum sent through.
Get a proper asbestos survey (Lots of reputable ones but be careful of any sales tactics). 

Get a quote based on the above. Take a longer term view. 

We’re extending and will disrupt some asbestos ceilings. To take out the whole house we’re looking at £5k. As many people have said, nearly all houses built within that time period are likely to have it.

If it comes back prohibitively expensive you can always walk away before exchange. 
Good luck with whatever you decide. 

Section62

Ramouth said:

That isn’t entirely true.  The amount of exposure is a factor but so is susceptibility.  Some people with very low exposures have developed problems in later life while others with much higher exposure survived unscathed.  I was told of a story where a lady developed cancer from asbestos from hugging her father (who worked with it) as a child whereas he was fine.

Absolutely. There have been many cases of women getting asbestos-related illnesses with no known occupational exposure. However a frequent factor is that they were the member of a household (wife/daughter/sister) with domestic responsibility for doing the laundry and handled clothes worn by family members who did have occupational exposure.

Having asbestos in a property is not necessarily a reason not to buy, but being aware of the risks is essential. It is vitally important to be assertive enough to stop tradespeople carrying out work in your home which disturbs asbestos without using the right method of working. It is too easy for builders/electricians/plumbers etc to tell householders that it is "safe asbestos" or "nothing to worry about" and then leave the householder with the problem of cleaning up the mess.

user1977

Aspiration said:

We’re extending and will disrupt some asbestos ceilings. To take out the whole house we’re looking at £5k. As many people have said, nearly all houses built within that time period are likely to have it.

Also bear in mind that things which (might) contain asbestos vary greatly in concentration. I'm not sure what you mean by an "asbestos ceiling", but there's a world of difference between insulation made primarily of asbestos, and the likes of old Artex which only had about 1% or so asbestos in it.