Asbestos in UK Homes: What Every Homeowner Should Know

Asbestos was used widely in British homes for decades, so finding out that your house might contain some is common. What matters is whether it is in good condition and whether anything you are planning will disturb it. This guide summarises what HSE says homeowners should know.

Could my home contain asbestos?

HSE says asbestos may be present in any home built or refurbished before 2000. Blue and brown asbestos were banned in 1985 and white asbestos in 1999, but products already fitted were allowed to stay in use. HSE's survey guide notes asbestos was used extensively in homes between 1930 and 1980.

Common places to find it include:

• asbestos cement garage and shed roofs, gutters, downpipes, flues and water tanks
• textured coatings on ceilings and walls, often called Artex
• vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles and their adhesive
• asbestos insulating board (AIB) in ceiling tiles, partition walls, soffits, bath panels and fire doors
• lagging on old pipes and boilers
• toilet cisterns, rope seals and gaskets

HSE's diagrams of where asbestos may be found show typical locations.

You can't tell by looking

Many asbestos products look exactly like asbestos-free ones. The only way to confirm whether a material contains asbestos is to have a sample analysed by an accredited laboratory. HSE recommends that samples are taken by a trained person, such as a surveyor or analyst, because breaking a piece off some materials releases fibres. Until you know, treat a suspect material as if it does contain asbestos.

Is it dangerous?

Asbestos becomes a risk when it is damaged or worked on and fibres get into the air. Breathing them in can cause diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis, usually decades later. HSE says asbestos in good condition that is unlikely to be damaged is often best left where it is and checked from time to time.

HSE also says that many short, accidental exposures are likely to have involved very few fibres and carry little likelihood of long-term harm. If you are worried about a past exposure, speak to your GP. Read more about asbestos health risks.

Before you start DIY or building work

This is when most people come into contact with asbestos. Drilling, sanding, scraping or knocking through a wall, ceiling or floor can release fibres.

1. Find out whether the areas you will work on contain asbestos, either by sampling or with a refurbishment survey. See asbestos surveys explained.
2. Tell any builder or tradesperson about known or suspected asbestos before they start.
3. Don't repair or remove asbestos yourself unless you've had training for non-licensed asbestos work. HSE strongly encourages using trained professionals.

Related guides: if the work is in the loft, read vermiculite and asbestos in the loft. If you are planning a loft conversion, Better Lofts, also run by Better Home Hub, covers planning permission and building regulations for loft conversions.

Who can remove it?

• An HSE-licensed contractor for sprayed coatings, lagging, loose-fill insulation and most work on asbestos insulating board.
• Trained workers without a licence for most work on lower-risk materials such as asbestos cement, textured coatings and floor tiles. Some of this work must be notified in advance.

Our guide to licensed and non-licensed work explains the difference, and choosing a specialist shows how to check a licence.

What if I've disturbed something?

Stop, keep people out of the area and close the door. Don't sweep, dust or use an ordinary vacuum cleaner. Put dusty clothing in a sealed bag. Get the material assessed before doing anything else. Damaged lagging, sprayed coatings or large amounts of insulating board must be cleaned up by a licensed contractor.

Getting rid of asbestos

Asbestos is hazardous waste and must not go in your household bin. Some council tips accept small amounts of bonded asbestos from householders, often for a charge. Rules vary, so check with your council through GOV.UK's asbestos in your home page.

Buying or selling

No law requires an asbestos survey when a private home is bought or sold. If you are buying an older property and plan to renovate, you may still find a survey useful for planning and budgeting.

If you'd like help, Better Home Hub, which runs this site, can try to introduce you to a surveyor or contractor.

Sources

• HSE asbestos FAQs, including advice for members of the public
• HSE: arrange an asbestos survey
• HSE: locations of asbestos
• HSE EM1: what to do if you discover or accidentally disturb asbestos
• HSE Asbestos essentials a0
• HSG264 Asbestos: The survey guide

Last reviewed September 2026.