We offer advice to residents and business on what to do if you think there is asbestos in a building.
We have a duty to hold asbestos surveys for all communal areas, as well as commercial and corporate buildings. If refurbishment works are to be undertaken to an area or an entire building, an asbestos refurbishment survey must be undertaken prior to works commencing.
Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, so any building built prior to this date must be surveyed ahead of any building works.
As long as asbestos containing materials are in good condition they should be left in situ unless they will interfere with refurbishment works.
Get advice
Please contact the asbestos team at AsbestosCompliance@camden.gov.uk for further advice.
Alternatively, you can find out more information on how to manage asbestos on the health and safety executive website.
Disposal of asbestos waste
Asbestos can only be removed by a specialist asbestos removal contractor. For advice about asbestos removal from commercial premises and any further information contact the compliance and enforcement team.
All asbestos waste should be double-bagged in heavy duty polythene bags and clearly labeled with labels prescribed for asbestos before it is transported to a site licensed to receive it.
To find a specialist contractor visit Arca.org.uk
Contractors wishing to remove asbestos have to, by law, notify the relevant enforcing authority if the material is a licenced material. Under no circumstances should asbestos removal be undertaken by yourself.
For more information, please refer to the HSE guidance.
Asbestos do’s and don’ts
- always presume a material/product contains asbestos unless there is evidence to suggest it does not
- don't panic if you think you have asbestos in your home - it's only a problem if it's disturbed
- do treat asbestos with respect
- don't drill, saw, sand or disturb materials that contain asbestos
- do seek advice if you think you've got a problem with asbestos in your home
- do not remove asbestos yourself without the permission of Camden
Advice for businesses
If you run a business, it is important to be aware of new legal duties to manage asbestos in all non-domestic buildings, including the common areas of residential rented properties.
You may be responsible to manage asbestos or to cooperate with the management of asbestos if for example you are a duty holder or you are the owner or occupier of a building. Please refer to the HSE guidance.
More information on asbestos and the "duty to manage" is available from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). You can also download leaflets on asbestos and the "duty to manage" from the HSE website.