Asbestos Removal

[Veggie Dave]

I have a customer whose landlord has decided that professional asbestos removal is far too expensive so he's going to do it himself.

I am, as you can imagine, trying to explain to the tenants just how dangerous and stupid he's being but they seem to think there's nothing they can do.

I'm about to write a note attached to my invoice explaining why they MUST take action but there's one thing I'm not sure about - is the illegal removal of asbestos a criminal offence and/or does it carry a potential prison sentence? Also, would the tenants also be liable to prosecution if he's caught?

 

[Dotty]

I would certainly inform the local authority straight away!

 

[SimonG]

The landlords a lemon, cant afford not to employ professionals when it comes to this. Don't know the legal stand point, but I would like to think the fine would be a multiple of what it would cost to do the job properly and also time inside.

Obviously not

[DLMURL="http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-wm-17511.htm"]Birmingham builders fined for illegal asbestos removal[/DLMURL]

 

[SimonG]

Asbestos and the law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[SimonG]

[DLMURL="http://www.arca.org.uk/ARCA-article.asp?ArticleID=328"]Birmingham builder fined for illegal asbestos removal - ARCA News[/DLMURL]

 

[SimonG]

Asbestos frequently asked questions

 

[gasmanrob]

The simple fact he won't be able to provide a clean air certificate is enough for a court hearing.

a BG engineer removed something asbestos years ago I'm not sure what but the crux of it was that house and the others he visited that day all had to have clean air cleaning and certificates whilst his van was sealed and disposed of with all it's contents.

That's how serious they took it

 

[Anton]

The tenants would in no way be liable to prosecution.
The Landlord would be at risk of a massive fine plus decontamination costs for the property.
Plus alternative residence costs for the tenants, replacement furnishings and all the rest.
I'd phone Environmental Health pretending to be one of the tenants (dial 141 first) but say you would rather not give your name, because the Landlord's not a nice person. tell them what he is planning to do and leave it to them.

 

[kris]

Hi there veggie. You should tell the landlord that when it comes to material such as asbestos theres only one way of removing and discarding and that is the right way. Its simply not a fibre to be messed with .

 

[kirkgas]

A whole multi-story up here was decanted for days a few weeks ago when a worker dislodged a panel that they thought might have been asbestos, this landlord is beyond arrogant, it's criminal neglect,

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

Why risk it, it simply is not worth it. I would not want to live in that house if he removed it as how will I know he has done it properly and not dropped it on the carpet or something as I certainly wouldnt be watching it. I would seriously consider ring the non emergency police as this is dangerous

 

[Millsy 82]

The fines are massive for asbestos even if you disturb asbestos unwillingly HSE will not take it lightly that he has been told there is asbestos and that he is removing it them selves. For an employee we got told it could be a fine of up to 15K and companies unlimited so he would be daft to do it.

 

[Ermintrude]

Just call the HSE and environmental health . Proper twonk

 

[rowdy]

Asbestos laws and regulations don't apply to domestic properties, however, as the landlord is deriving an income from the property he is skating on thin ice going down this path. Perhaps contact the Citizens Advice Bureau in the first instance.

 

[Ermintrude]

Hate to burst your bubble it's a work place. Not sure call the HSE. CDM regulations still apply here.......