Landlord Responsibility on Property contains Asbestos

Hello All,

I am considering to purchase a house in QLD for investment that might contains asbestos (it looks like a 30 yrs old house and has some fibro sheets on the walls).

What are the landlord responsibility for having a house like that? I did a search online and couldn't find much info, nor require landlord to organise any test / inspection for asbestos. What if there is a damage piece of material (that contains asbestos) in the house but no one aware of it? would I expose myself to big risk of being sue if purchase this property?

I am planning to let the tenant know not to drill any walls etc. but if the tenant still do that, is it something easy to fix by patching it up? or total removal of that section is required?

Thanks!!

 

Are the walls in the property currently in good condition?
If so, I think your responsibility as a landlord are fulfilled. I'm sure there are 1000's of properties with asbestos walls that are rented without any notification, maybe some of the PM's on here could confirm this but I've not seen it mentioned before. Also the tenant shouldn't be damaging the property (drilling holes into walls) anyway.
The only time I could see that you would need to do anything is if the walls are not in good condition, or if there is friable asbestos in the house.

Are you at risk of being sued, maybe a lawyer on here could answer that better, but I would think not. Asbestos use was so wide spread (and in some regional areas they are naturally occurring) that basically everyone has at least some exposure to asbestos fibres. The tenant would have an extremely hard time proving that any exposure from your property alone caused them harm. Furthermore if their exposure was due to their own actions (such as drilling holes into a wall), which were in breach of the agreement between you and the tenant, it would be even harder for them to sue.

A drill hole would be relatively easy to fix, spray glue works, paint, putty etc. If the panel is cracked though, while the glue or paint would work temporarily it might be easier to remove and dispose of appropriately. Loads more info is available here: http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/asbestos/resources/pdfs/asbestos-home-renovators-trades-guide.pdf

 

We have asbestos in our PPOR. Most houses built before the mid 1980s do, and thousands of these are rented.

It is fine if it is not disturbed. Be careful with drilling or sanding to repaint.
Marg

 

As a landlord, I would say your responsibility extends to making sure there is no damaged - cracks, holes etc - asbestos in the property.

 

Im looking at 1940's house now in QLD, asbestos looks like in the ceiling.
Anyway is a law you need to tell future tenants thst the house has asbestos.

 

Thanks @wylie

 

From a risk perspective also be careful engaging subcontractors to do work. Subcontractors doing renovation work should be notified / warned and you should ensure they have necessary licenses.

For NSW - Asbestos licences

 

Thanks @wombat777

 

Asbestos is everywhere, carpenters etc used to saw it up.

People play too much on the asbestos thing because some govt employees are panic merchants & some demo people are cowboys and dump broken up sheets in public areas, if left untouched, it wont hurt you & even if your cutting it up, I reckon you would have to be unlucky.

People happily puff away on smokes, yet go on about asbestos, well the smokes with stuff you & cost you a packet to do it.

 

AFAIK there is only a general duty of care unlike a workplace which is governed by WHS legislation.

Provided that it is kept in good order there is minimal risk of exposure

 

Thanks @Scott No Mates.
Could you look at my stumps thread please in the repair section.

 

@Tranquilo - those stumps are a crack up (literally).

Either overloaded (compression failure) or rusted reo. Either case will need engineer recommendation ie. I'm stumped!!!

Seriously though, have the b&p comment and negotiate for replacement prior to settlement or price reduction (get a stump specialist to quote).

 

In addition to the above. The type of asbestos that is a worry but fortunately much less likely, is friable asbestos. Which means it is not firmly bonded into a product like fibro. The main example of this is loose fill asbestos ceiling/wall insulation. Unlikely to be a issue in QLD.

 

Thanks Guy's. Now how to go about with offer. Make an offer subject to B&P of course, and when the issue comes back the stumps ect then say I want a price reduction.
To get a stump specialist to quote do I send them with B&P?.
Also internal walls has asbestos wall being an old house, bathroom, bedrooms, kitchen and lounge and dining appear to be resheet (no battons in joins). Even though asbestos internal walls are good condition only needs a paint. Has previous termite damage I have a great termite guy thanks to @wylie
Anyway its a high demand area may not even get an offer accepted.

 

Thanks @wylie it was another post you did about asbestos removel and resheet I have put down $12k to do it. Just by looking at photo's lounge and dining don't have, and possibly hallway.

 

I would be surprised if they made any allowance for fibro walls etc, heaps of places like that, but you can try.

 

Can only try @dabbler.