Many older homes contain asbestos. Left alone and in good condition it is usually safe, but damaged asbestos is dangerous. Here is what to do and what your landlord must do.
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Direct answer
Asbestos was used in many homes built or refurbished before the year 2000, in things like old floor tiles, textured ceilings, pipe lagging, and garage roofs. If it is in good condition and left undisturbed, it is usually safe. The danger comes when it is damaged, drilled, sanded, or broken up and the fibres get into the air. Do not disturb it. If you think asbestos in your home is damaged, report it to your landlord straight away and do not try to remove it yourself. If a landlord or their contractor damaged asbestos and ignored the risk, you may have a claim, call us free on 0800 030 4669.
The key rule: do not disturb it
- Do not drill, sand, scrape, saw, or break anything you think contains asbestos.
- Do not try to remove it yourself, removal must be done safely, sometimes by a licensed contractor.
- If a panel or tile is cracked or crumbling, keep people and pets away from the area and report it.
The Health and Safety Executive has clear advice on spotting and handling asbestos at hse.gov.uk/asbestos.
What your landlord must do
- In blocks of flats, the landlord has a legal duty to manage asbestos in the shared parts (halls, stairwells, plant rooms) under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
- If asbestos in your home is damaged, or works disturb it, the landlord must make it safe and arrange safe removal or sealing where needed.
- Before any repair or refurbishment that might disturb asbestos, the landlord should check whether asbestos is present.
What to do
- Report it in writing with photos (taken without disturbing the material) and the location.
- Ask the landlord whether they hold an asbestos survey for the building.
- If a contractor is about to drill or cut somewhere you suspect asbestos, ask them to check first.
- Keep copies of everything and the dates.
Where we fit in
Support for Tenants helps with housing disrepair claims. Asbestos that has been damaged and left, or disturbed by careless works the landlord ignored, can be part of a disrepair or health claim. For safety advice on asbestos itself, the Health and Safety Executive and your council's environmental health team are the right people. Call us free on 0800 030 4669, send the short form, or message us on WhatsApp. See also where to get other housing help.
Sources
- Asbestos (Health and Safety Executive)
- Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 24 May 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.
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