The housing company's board is responsible for commissioning an asbestos survey in the company's common premises and structures. This guide goes through the practices, responsibilities and costs of a housing association's asbestos survey.
When does a housing association need an asbestos survey?
Asbestos survey must be done before all demolition and repair work in housing associations built before 1994. Typical projects are:
- Pipe repair (line renovation) - pipe insulation often contains asbestos
- Facade renovation - facade boards and screeds
- Roof repair - old roof tiles
- Balcony renovation - balcony surface materials
- Renovation of the basement and common areas
Who is responsible and who pays?
The company's renovations
In renovations to the company's common structures (pipe repair, facade repair, etc.) the housing company is responsible on commissioning and costs of asbestos survey. The decision is made in the board of directors or the general meeting in connection with the project.
Shareholder renovations
When the shareholder renovates his own apartment (e.g. bathroom renovation), the shareholder is responsible for commissioning an asbestos survey. However, the housing company must demand that a survey be carried out before the renovation permit.
A practical process in a housing association
- Project planning - the survey is included in the planning phase of the project
- Ordering the survey - the property manager or project manager orders the survey
- Survey visit - an expert examines the site and takes samples
- The report - the survey report is delivered to the property manager and designers
- Design refinement - based on the report, asbestos removal is planned as part of the project
Tips for the board
- Order the survey in time - preferably already in the project planning phase, not until after the contractor has been selected
- Keep the report - the survey report is an important document that should be kept in the housing company's archive
- Require shareholders to commission surveys - set an asbestos survey as a condition of the renovation permit
- Take advantage of previous surveys - if the previous survey covers the areas to be renovated, a new one is not needed
Costs
The price of the housing association's asbestos survey depends on the size and scope of the site. Surveying an individual apartment starts at 119€ + VAT. Prices for larger projects are agreed on a case-by-case basis.