A new academic report commissioned by construction union UCATT, has uncovered huge deficiencies in the rules covering the management of asbestos in people's homes. Potentially exposing both residents and maintenance workers to asbestos exposure.

Householders undertaking standard DIY functions are at particular risk of unknowingly exposing themselves to asbestos. This was due to a combination of ignorance and a lack of readily accessible information and advice.

The report 'As Safe as Houses?' by Dr Linda Waldman and Heather Williams, primarily examines how asbestos is managed and removed in social housing but also uncovers major flaws in legislation concerning properties containing asbestos in the private sector.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own homes. This excellent new report details how thousands of householders' health is being put at risk because they do not know that asbestos is present in their home."

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The report reveals that there are major differences in how individual local authorities and registered social landlords (RSLs) notify tenants about whether properties contain asbestos and the likely risk of exposure.

The report recommends that all social landlords should have a duty to manage asbestos in the internal part of properties; currently there is only a duty to manage asbestos in communal areas such as stairwells.

Social landlords should also be required by law to maintain an asbestos register for all properties. A register should contain: whether a property has been surveyed, whether asbestos has been found in a property or similar properties, whether the asbestos has been removed or damaged, whether asbestos has been professionally removed and official confirmation of removal. There should be a mandatory asbestos survey for all houses, which is kept up to date.

The report reveals that there is no legal requirement to disclose the presence of asbestos when selling a private property. Housing Information Packs and most surveys do not contain information on whether there is asbestos present in a property. Currently only an expensive full structural survey would definitely provide such information. The report recommends that mandatory asbestos surveying should be introduced prior to all private housing sales.

Mr Ritchie added: "The report demonstrates that new regulations are urgently needed in order to ensure that construction workers undertaking maintenance and refurbishment work are properly protected. Workers should not be expected to play Russian roulette with their health."

(CD/JM)