Selling a house with asbestos might feel like you’ve drawn the short straw, but honestly, it’s more common than you’d think. I’ve seen countless worried faces when homeowners discover those dreaded asbestos-containing materials lurking in their property. If you’re reading this with a knot in your stomach after finding out your home contains asbestos, take a deep breath – you’re not alone, and there are practical solutions ahead.
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The Asbestos Reality Check: What We’re Actually Dealing With
Let’s get one thing straight – asbestos isn’t the bogeyman it’s often made out to be when left undisturbed. About half of UK homes built before 1999 contain some form of asbestos, so you’re in rather crowded company!
I remember visiting a lovely semi in Wolverhampton where the owners were practically in tears over discovering asbestos in their garage roof. They thought their house was suddenly worthless! After a cuppa and a proper chat, they realised it wasn’t the end of the world.
Asbestos typically hides in:
Those textured Artex ceilings your grandparents thought were the height of fashion
Old floor tiles (especially those 9-inch squares from the 60s and 70s)
Insulation around pipes and in lofts
Garage and shed roofs (that corrugated cement stuff)
Airing cupboard panels and old boiler flues
Wall cladding and some older partition walls
The real issue only kicks in when these materials get damaged and release those nasty fibres. Which brings us neatly to the question many of you are fretting about…
Do you have to declare asbestos when selling a house?
In a word, yes. I know it’s tempting to cross your fingers and hope nobody notices, but that’s a recipe for disaster. Since 2013, when the Property Misdescriptions Act was scrapped, sellers must come clean about known issues – asbestos included.
When you’re filling out that TA6 property information form, honesty isn’t just the best policy – it’s the only legal one. Hiding asbestos is like hiding a skeleton in your closet, except this one can land you in court with hefty compensation claims and even criminal charges in serious cases. Not worth the sleepless nights, I promise you!
Should I get an asbestos survey before selling?
I hear this question almost daily. While not a legal requirement, it’s often a smart move.
Think of it this way – would you rather discover what you’re dealing with on your terms, or have a buyer’s survey uncover it mid-sale when you’ve already mentally moved out? A basic asbestos survey costs roughly ÂŁ200-ÂŁ400 for an average home, potentially more for larger properties or if sampling is needed.
Do house surveys check for asbestos?
Here’s the thing – standard HomeBuyer surveys might flag suspicious materials, but they usually don’t include testing. Your buyer might spot those suspicious Artex ceilings and request further investigation, potentially derailing your sale just as you thought you were home and dry.
I remember one client in Manchester who was blindsided when a sale fell through at the eleventh hour because the buyer’s lender demanded an asbestos survey after suspicious materials were spotted. Had we known earlier, we could have managed the situation proactively rather than scrambling to save the sale.
How much to remove artex ceiling with asbestos?
If you’re specifically looking at those textured ceilings, you’re typically looking at ÂŁ1,000-ÂŁ2,500 for removal. Worth every penny for the peace of mind and smoother sale, in my experience. Just please, please don’t attempt DIY removal – I’ve seen the horrifying aftermath of that particular bright idea! You’ve essentially got three routes to consider:
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1. Bite the Bullet and Remove It
Getting professionals to safely remove asbestos before selling is the gold-standard approach. Yes, it’ll set you back around ÂŁ1,600 on average (possibly more depending on the extent), but it completely removes the problem.
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2. The ‘Manage It’ Approach
If the asbestos is in good nick and not posing an immediate risk, professional encapsulation might be your best bet. It’s about 20% cheaper than removal and effectively seals the asbestos away safely.
One client in York opted for this approach with some asbestos cement sheets in their outbuilding. The encapsulation work cost them under ÂŁ500, and they provided the documentation to reassure buyers. Sale completed without a hitch!
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3. Price Adjustment and Transparency
Sometimes, the most straightforward approach is acknowledging the asbestos, getting quotes for remediation, and adjusting your asking price accordingly – or offering the buyer a credit toward fixing it themselves.
This can actually be quite attractive to certain buyers, especially those planning renovations anyway. They might prefer controlling the process themselves rather than living with your choices.
How Much Will This Cost Me?
Let’s be honest – asbestos will likely impact your property’s value. How much? It depends on these factors:
| What We’re Looking At | Likely Price Impact | What This Means For You |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos in good condition | Minimal reduction (0-5%) | If it’s intact and well-maintained, most buyers won’t bat an eyelid |
| Damaged or deteriorating asbestos | Moderate reduction (5-15%) | You’ll need to factor in remediation costs or accept a lower offer |
| Extensive or high-risk asbestos | Significant reduction (15%+) | Consider professional removal before selling to avoid massive price drops |
| Location (accessible vs hidden) | Varies significantly | Asbestos in a loft space concerns buyers less than in living areas |
This isn’t just theory – I’ve seen these patterns repeatedly across hundreds of property transactions involving asbestos. The way you handle the situation often matters more than the asbestos itself!
Can you get a mortgage on a house with asbestos?
Good news – yes, they absolutely can! Most high street lenders will happily provide mortgages for properties with asbestos, provided it’s in reasonable condition.
The mortgage valuer might note its presence, but unless it’s dangerous or deteriorating, it rarely scuppers mortgage applications. That said, some lenders are more finicky than others, which is why cash buyers sometimes become your best friends in these situations.
Can you sell a house with asbestos?
Too right you can! Thousands of homes with asbestos sell successfully every year across Britain. The trick is in how you position it:
Be matter-of-fact – Don’t act like you’re confessing to a crime. “The property has some asbestos-containing materials, as most houses of this era do. Here’s the survey showing its condition.”
Have information ready – Knowledge is power. Having surveys, quotes, and management plans ready shows you’re organised and transparent.
Target the right buyers – Some buyers (particularly developers and experienced renovators) won’t be fazed by asbestos.
Consider specialist buyers – If the traditional market is proving difficult, Property Saviour’s we buy any house service can be a godsend. We regularly purchase properties with asbestos without all the palaver of typical sales.
Adjust expectations realistically – Better to price correctly from the start than face repeated disappointment and price drops.
Is it illegal to sell a house with asbestos?
Absolutely not! Selling homes with asbestos happens every day across Britain. The only illegal bit would be knowingly hiding it from buyers.
As my nan would say, “It’s not the asbestos that’ll get you in trouble, love – it’s the fibbing about it!” She wasn’t a property expert, but she wasn’t wrong either. Be upfront, and you’re on solid ground legally.
Who pays for the removal of asbestos?
This is negotiable, but traditionally it falls to whoever owns the property when the removal happens. That said, I’ve seen plenty of creative arrangements:
“I sold my semi in Luton last year which had asbestos in the garage roof,” shares Michael from Reading. “Rather than remove it before selling, I got three quotes and knocked the average cost off my asking price. The buyers were chuffed as they could handle it on their timeline, and I didn’t have to faff about with contractors.”
Do we declare asbestos in garage roof?
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! This is one of the most common areas where sellers come unstuck. That corrugated garage or shed roof almost certainly contains asbestos cement, and yes, you absolutely must declare it.
“But it’s only the garage!” I hear you cry. Doesn’t matter – it’s part of the property, and failing to mention it is asking for trouble. Besides, most buyers won’t be particularly bothered by asbestos in an outbuilding compared to, say, finding it in their kitchen ceiling.
Do I declare asbestos to sell a house to Property Saviour?
Yes, we still need to know about it – but here’s the difference: we won’t run for the hills. At Property Saviour, we’ve seen it all, bought it all, and fixed it all. Asbestos doesn’t frighten us because we understand exactly what we’re dealing with and have the expertise to handle it properly.
We regularly buy properties with asbestos issues that traditional buyers find daunting. While high street buyers might be envisioning hazmat suits and astronomical costs, we know the practical reality and reasonable costs involved.
How do you sell a house with asbestos?
After years in this industry, I’ve seen countless worried faces brighten when they realise that asbestos doesn’t have to be the sales-killer they feared. Yes, it’s a hurdle – but one that can be cleared with honesty, preparation, and the right approach.
Whether you decide to remove it, manage it, or adjust your price to reflect it, remember that thousands of homes with asbestos sell successfully every year. Yours can absolutely be one of them.
And if the traditional market feels too daunting, remember that Property Saviour is always here to offer a straightforward alternative. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re ready to help you move forward – asbestos and all.
After all, every home has its quirks and challenges. Asbestos is just one more hurdle on the path to your next chapter – and with the right support, it’s one you can absolutely overcome.
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