Selling or renting an older property: where asbestos fits in

If you’re selling

You can’t identify asbestos by looking, and buyers increasingly know that. Getting a survey done before you list is a smart move: it confirms the precise location, type, condition and quantity of any asbestos, so you’re not blindsided by a buyer’s inspection mid-negotiation.

Two practical realities owners weigh up:

• Buyer appetite. Many buyers are wary of asbestos, so an unknown can cost you. Industry commentary suggests the presence of asbestos can dent a property’s value and lengthen the time it takes to sell — getting ahead of it, and being able to show exactly what’s there and in what condition, takes the fear out of the conversation. (These figures circulate in the trade rather than from a single study — treat them as a reason to be proactive, not a precise discount.)
• Disclosure. Mandatory asbestos disclosure has been proposed in some states, and buyers and agents increasingly expect a clear answer. Even where it isn’t strictly required, “we had it surveyed, here’s the report” is a stronger position than “not that I know of”.

If you’re a landlord

Renting out a property raises the stakes, because you’re responsible for the safety of people who live in or visit it. If a tenant or neighbour is exposed and becomes ill, you can face legal action — and many property liability insurance policies exclude asbestos-related claims, which can leave you personally exposed to legal costs and compensation, plus clean-up and replacement costs that insurance won’t cover.

There’s also a compliance angle: a domestic property can fall under workplace asbestos duties when workers attend — for example, tradespeople doing renovation or maintenance — which can trigger the need for an asbestos register. (See our guide to workplace asbestos duties.)

The sensible approach for owners

1. Find out what’s there. A survey or inspection identifies and documents any asbestos — the foundation for every decision that follows.
2. Make it safe, on your terms. Depending on condition, that might mean leaving sound material in place and monitoring it, sealing it, or removing it under licence with a clearance certificate.
3. Keep the paperwork. A report (and, where relevant, a register) is the evidence you hand a buyer, a tenant, an insurer or an agent — turning a hidden risk into a managed, documented one.

We can survey the property, document what’s present, and arrange licensed removal and clearance if it’s warranted — so you can list or lease with confidence rather than crossed fingers.