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Can You Sell a House If It Has Asbestos?

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Across the UK, many properties still contain asbestos, and if you’re trying to sell one, its presence is sure to deter potential buyers. This leaves you in a difficult and stressful situation, especially if you need a quick sale for a fair price.

So, how do you sell a property that contains asbestos? Our experts at Property Saviour have listed everything you need to know.

Contractors removing asbestos roof on a garage
Asbestos is commonly found in garages, dry walls and ceiling of houses and commercial buildings built between 1940's to 2000 in the UK.

Table of Contents

What is asbestos?

Asbestos has received a lot of media coverage in recent years, but what is it, and how harmful can it be? Asbestos is a silicate mineral mined for over four thousand years around the world. With a wide range of uses, it was often hailed as a ‘wonder material’ by the Roman Empire.

It was heavily used in UK property construction during the 20th century, and it’s easy to see why. It was resistant to fire, did not conduct electricity, and was an excellent heat insulator. It was also mined locally and, therefore, extremely cost-effective.

What does asbestos do to the body?

What is asbestos poisoning?

Asbestosis or asbestos poisoning is caused by exposure to fibres in plaster and used in buildings for flooring, insulation, and roofing.

What is asbestos poisoning
Asbestosis or asbestos poisoning is caused by exposure to fibres in plaster and used in buildings for flooring, insulation, and roofing.

Does popcorn artex ceiling have asbestos?

Popcorn or artex ceilings normally contain between 1 and 10% asbestos.  Never under-estimate asbestos – even at 1% exposure is a cause for concern and must be addressed.

Do houses built in 1920 have asbestos?

In the UK asbestos was used up to the year 2000, and therefore, any house built before 2000 could contain asbestos. 

Older properties built between the 1920s and mid 1990s are likely to have asbestos in their ceilings, insulation, basements, wrapped around heating pipes and boilers. 

Should I remove popcorn artex ceiling?

No. It is best to get a professional contractor in to carry out an asbestos test. 

Follow their strict guidance to minimise any exposure to you or your family.  Exposing or removing asbestos will cause tiny particles to escape into the air, and you could end up breathing the carcinogens.

When did they stop putting asbestos in artex popcorn ceilings?
Exposing or removing asbestos will cause tiny particles to escape into the air, and you could end up breathing the carcinogens.

When did they stop putting asbestos in artex popcorn ceilings?

In the UK, asbestos was used right up to the year 2000 before its ban.  If your property was built in 2001 or later, it is unlikely to have any asbestos.

What kind of mask is used for asbestos?

The most common respirator is a half-face, dual-cartridge respirator. Respirators must have HEPA-filtered cartridges (colour-coded purple) or an N-100, P-100, or R-100 NIOSH rating. These cartridges are specific for filtering out asbestos fibres.

Can you sell a house with an asbestos garage?

Asbestos is mostly found in residential properties mixed with other materials to strengthen them: cement sheeting or corrugated roofing on garages, for example, or decorative wall coatings such as artex.  It can be difficult to sell a house with asbestos as some lenders call it an unmortgageable property.

Row of terrace houses in Wakefield
It’s mostly found in older properties, as asbestos was used in the UK home-building industry until 1999, when white asbestos was finally outlawed.

Where is asbestos found in old homes?

In old homes, asbestos can be found in:

  • Gas pipes or gas fireplaces
  • Water cisterns
  • Pipe lagging
  • Loose-fill insulation
  • Floor and ceiling tiles
  • Airing cupboards
  • Behind fuse boxes and around boilers.

It’s mostly found in older properties, as asbestos was used in the UK home-building industry until 1999 when white asbestos was finally outlawed.

How common is asbestos in a drywall?

In the UK, asbestos was used to produce building materials right up to the year 2000 before its ban.  If your home, commercial property or garage was built prior to the year 2000, it is worth checking to see if it contains asbestos. 

It is best to get a professional asbestos removal company to carry out an asbestos test.  Most offer a discounted test in order to win an instruction.

When did they stop putting asbestos in artex popcorn ceilings?

In the UK, asbestos was used right up to the year 2000 before its ban.  If your property was built in 2001 or later, it is unlikely to have any asbestos.

Can you sell a house with asbestos tiles
Our team at Property Saviour have worked with several sellers struggling to sell due to asbestos and can talk you through all available options.

Can you sell a house with asbestos tiles?

The use and import of blue and brown asbestos were banned in the UK in 1985. Houses built in the UK this century will not contain asbestos but will vary if you are trying to sell any property that is pre-1999.

For example, Artex was still made with white asbestos until the mid-1980s. Asbestos floor and ceiling tiles proved particularly popular in the 1950s and 1960s, so if you have them in your home, it could be worth getting them checked.

Our team at Property Saviour have worked with several sellers struggling to sell due to asbestos and can talk you through all available options.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

Asbestos causes a condition known as asbestosis.  Asbestos comes in a variety of forms, and whilst they all differ in their potential to harm those who come into contact with it, they are all linked to a condition known as asbestosis. 

During its manufacturing process and implementation in many types of construction, the dust that was produced contained sharp asbestos particles that often found their way into the lungs of workers, cutting and scarring the delicate tissue inside and frequently causing tuberculosis and fibrosis.

In the modern era, large-scale mining in the UK started in the late 19th century, but despite the first asbestos-related death occurring in 1906, it took until 1985 for the first partial ban to be passed through parliament.

Is it legal to sell a house with asbestos?

While it isn’t illegal to sell a house with asbestos, for homeowners in the process of selling a house containing the material, it can be a tough task to find a buyer. But what measures need to be undertaken to sell a house with asbestos?

For Sale Sign on a House
While it isn’t illegal to sell a house with asbestos, for homeowners in the process of selling a house containing the material, it can be a tough task to find a buyer.

Can I remove asbestos myself?

If you are thinking of removing asbestos, you may wish to reconsider. Not only is it difficult, but it is also dangerous.

Yes, you can legally remove asbestos if you live in the UK – but that doesn’t mean you should or it’s a good idea.

Although there are no laws against it, firms removing asbestos as a paid service need to be licensed.

Homeowners who wish to remove asbestos from their homes must check the asbestos disposal requirements in their local area on the Gov website.

We do not recommend removing asbestos yourself due to the potentially fatal health risks. Why risk putting yourself and your family at risk?

Do you have to disclose asbestos when selling a house?

Asbestos is costly and dangerous to remove, and as a seller, you typically have two choices: get it removed through a specialised firm, or disclose it before a sale goes ahead so the new owner is aware of the problem and how to tackle it. 

If you do this, they will likely want to reduce their offer so that they can pay to have it removed safely. The cost for removing asbestos can run into tens of thousands therefore, being able to sell a property with asbestos can be difficult.

They may likely just back out of the sale, too. But you can be sued if you know about it and don’t disclose it.

Here at Property Saviour, we will buy any house – even those with asbestos. You can relax that you can sell a property with asbestos to us. We’ll give you a fair price and pay all your legal fees.

How much does it cost to remove asbestos?

If you consider removing the asbestos, be aware it’s time-consuming, complicated, and expensive.

Costs are high and vary considerably, but be prepared to pay at least £1,500 plus VAT to remove up to 20 square meters of a textured coating such as Artex. As asbestos can be found in walls and ceilings and must not be exposed to the elements, the cost of removing it could be tens of thousands of pounds.

You should always use a licensed removal firm, who will first carry out a preliminary test and take samples.

Home insurance policies do not cover the removal of asbestos, leaving you with no other option than to fork out the cash. The other option is to speak to a Property Saviour, who will buy any property and still offer you a good price.

How do you sell a house with asbestos?

After reading the information above, we hope you’ve decided not to remove asbestos yourself. We also don’t think it’s advisable to lose out on money by disclosing the problem to any potential buyers, who will instantly be put off.

Property Saviour will not only give you a fair, honest price for your property, but we’ll also ensure it’s better than any other option.  Our We Buy Any House service is trusted by many homeowners, leaving us with five-star reviews.

We charge no fees and guarantee a sale within 10 days of contracts being agreed. We don’t buy on behalf of investors, so you can be assured your damaged property isn’t being sold on to someone else.

Avoid the hassle, risk, and stress of dealing with asbestos – and consider giving us a call.

If you’re feeling unsure, we promise to leave you feeling confident by the time you put the phone down.

We’ve been in the house-buying industry for decades and know the struggles faced by sellers, helping so many like you who are burdened with asbestos.

Call us now at 0113 320 6700.

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