Survey found traces of asbestos

[Tony Williams]

[snip]

Perhaps he didn't. Perhaps a bum-covering statement like;

"There is a shed with an asbestos roof that *may* result in traces of asbestos *on* the property."

Was eversoaccidentally converted into the apparently authoritive statement;

"There are traces of asbestos *in* the property."

I don't see how anyone can make an authoritive statement unless they did a proper sampling and chemical analysis.

[MM]

Oh, I fully agree with you that this is most likely what happened. Especially since the surveyor cove who came to inspect the property relaxed a bit once he realised that not all residents of ex-LA houses carry knives and are prepared to use them. He asked how many viewers I had had and I told him quite a few, and he said the reason it hadn't sold was 'certainly nothing to do with the house'.

MM

[MM]

How much, do you think, is it likely to be costing the buyer to have a separate specialist company come 15 miles to make this additional inspection and produce a report?

MM

[N. Thornton]

I'd say to them I'd look at their claim and decide what to do next if they show me the report, otherwise I wouldnt even consider it, I'd not discuss it whatsoever. Its a panic-and-bargain game, and so far you appear to be buying in to it. When sufficient panic sets in you'll be prepaerd to take less money for a simple solution, thats the idea of it.

I dont know if the buyers are knowledgeable or being suckered, if the latter you could give them this web addy _if_ they give you the report. I certainly wouldnt get into it otherwise, not one bit.

the kind of report you were asking for.

Less likely to be made an issue of with buyers not doing surveys, which most dont. If one after another freaks over it, it doesnt cost a lot to pull it off and put new plastic corrugated sheet on. Asbetos should be double bagged before going to the tip.

T> "There are traces of asbestos *in* the property."

there are, theyre in more or less all gas heaters, and assorted other non-new appliances. Not a problem.

Also someone asked what it would cost to remove the asbestos: if you do it yourself, nothing. If you bring an asbestos "specialist" in, whatever they think they can get.

Meanwhile I wouldnt worry about it.

NT

[MM]

Very useful, NT. Thanks!

MM

[G&M]

That's normal with selling a house. If it wasn't asbestos it would be subsidence/rising damp/flooding/name your favourite problem. I worry too but there's nothing you can do but wait and see what the other side do first.

[MM]

So far, so good. The specialist environmental surveyor came and was very thorough indeed, spending about an hour going round the entire property, inside and out, into the roof space, the shed, everywhere. Stickers on sample points were left, saying "Do Not Remove". His feeling was that someone was just being ultra careful, having read the "traces of asbestos" remark in the original survey report. What was found was corrugated asbestos sheeting on the shed roof, and (something I was unaware of) asbestos cement soffits under the eaves. All of this was declared to be a good condition, for which the recommended treatment was to "monitor it" and leave alone. Even if a future owner did decide to replace the soffits or the shed roof, these sheets can be removed by the owner provided the appropriate steps are taken. The sheets should be made and kept wet (hose) and then wrapped in polythene. They must be taken to a council-approved site that accepts asbestos.

MM

[G&M]

Good to hear. Of course the purchasers may be awkward or start worrying (as you did) but that's part of the joy of moving house. Most stressful thing in life - as least for men :-)