If you own a rental property, you understand the importance of providing a safe and healthy living environment for your tenants, which includes properly managing asbestos. 

When you think you may have asbestos in a rental property you own, it’s important to act appropriately and efficiently to avoid the risk of long-term damage to your property and tenants. At Consultex Environmental, we help landlords and business owners effectively manage asbestos in their properties with various strategies to ensure they are compliant with health, safety, and legal obligations. 

In this blog, we’ll recommend the best actionable advice for managing asbestos risks in rental properties and outline what the legal responsibilities and steps for compliance are with asbestos regulations. Read on if you’re ready to learn more and protect your property and your reputation. 

Do you have Asbestos in a Rental Property? 

As a landlord, it’s important to stay informed so that you can swiftly address any issues that arise. Asbestos requires careful attention, and if it’s not managed properly, it can result in serious consequences: 

Health risk to tenants

Asbestos is extremely hazardous, especially when the fibres become airborne. Exposure to these fibres carries severe health risks, and the long-term implications can be serious or even deadly. When asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are disturbed, the fibres can be breathed in by tenants or visitors to your property. Anyone who is exposed may experience early symptoms, including lowered energy levels, shortness of breath, continuous coughing or chest pain. The long-term health effects can include lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis, which is a chronic lung disease.

Decrease in property value

ACMs were widely used in New Zealand before the 1980s, and there are some visible signs that asbestos may be present on your property. Signs include textured coatings on ceilings and walls or on the backing of older vinyl flooring. As buildings constructed with ACMs age, asbestos may be released into the air, which can ultimately decrease the value of your property. Dealing with asbestos in a rental property before it becomes a serious issue makes good business sense.

A negative reputation

Landlords who don’t comply with asbestos regulations can face up to $50,000 in fines. Alongside these penalties, your reputation is also on the line. Landlords who go the extra mile by showing a commitment to the health and safety of their properties and tenants will maintain a positive reputation. If you are found to be non-compliant, tenants might also take legal action, which could result in severe fines and even criminal prosecution. 

Managing Asbestos in a Rental Property 

There may not always be visible signs of asbestos in rental properties, which is why it’s important to use effective methods to identify its presence so you can implement plans for ongoing management. As asbestos management experts, Consultex Environmental can assist you in providing asbestos surveys using the latest and most up-to-date software. Our team carries out high-quality asbestos audits of residential properties throughout New Zealand. 

Asbestos Management Surveys  

To ensure your property is fully protected and compliant, our team will identify the presence and exact location of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on your property. As a crucial first step, we need to determine their condition so that we can ensure all ACMs are managed properly. 

Consultex samples are included in the survey reports after being thoroughly analysed by an IANZ-accredited laboratory. Our Asbestos Management Surveys provide information that will help us carry out a suitable risk assessment and develop an asbestos management plan (AMP). These surveys can also determine if we are dealing with friable or non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos is the type to keep a close eye on because when the materials containing it become crumbled or damaged, it is very likely to result in hazardous fibres being released into the air. 

Asbestos testing 

Testing for asbestos in your property is a relatively simple process for landlords. At Consultex Environmental, our team of trained and experienced professionals carefully obtains sample materials without compromising the integrity of the building or significantly impacting its appearance. Once our team has obtained the samples, they are carefully transported to the laboratory and tested for asbestos presence, type and amount. Then, a detailed report will be prepared and provided to make recommendations for safe and appropriate removal if necessary. 

Putting a plan in place 

Implementing a proper management plan to ensure a safe home for your tenants is important to ensure full compliance with the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 in New Zealand. Under this regulation, landlords are responsible and required to ensure they are effectively managing any potential asbestos risks so that tenants have a safe and healthy home to live in. 

Be compliant and keep your tenants protected against asbestos 

At Consultex Environmental, we are committed to helping landlords and tenants stay safe and protected from the dangers of asbestos in rental properties. A comprehensive AMP will ensure that your rental property and tenants are protected from potential asbestos exposure. Ready to test and implement a plan? Contact us today for a free consultation and quote.