- Joined
- 15 Apr 2026
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 7
- Country
The ceiling in my bedroom tested positive for chrysotile asbestos. Inside the ceiling was a white, mesh-like material, and what appeared to be the same material—with the same texture—was also present inside one of the walls.
My landlord’s contractor demolished that wall back to the brickwork without first providing any evidence that the material had been tested. Dust was left throughout my flat, including over belongings that I had stored in the kitchen during the works. This includes bedding, covers, and cushions placed on top of the cupboards, as well as boxes stacked nearby. Dust is also covering the worktops and the tops of the boxes.
I have repeatedly asked the landlord for the asbestos survey, risk assessment, and any air-testing or clearance certification relating to the wall, but they have not provided anything. I am beginning to suspect that the wall was never surveyed.
My understanding is that where asbestos may be present and its status is uncertain, the material should either be tested or treated as though it contains asbestos until proven otherwise. Given that the bedroom ceiling had already tested positive and the material inside the wall appeared to be the same, it seems reasonable to believe that the wall should have been investigated before being demolished.
I reported the matter to the local authority’s environmental health team. However, the officer closed the case, stating: “I cannot see any asbestos present.”
Am I wrong to regard that as an inadequate and potentially unsafe reason for closing the case? Asbestos fibres are microscopic, so surely the absence of visibly identifiable asbestos does not establish that the dust and debris are safe.
I am reluctant to move the contaminated-looking bedding, cushions and boxes because doing so could disturb the dust. The landlord is also refusing to arrange specialist cleaning or provide evidence that the area is safe.
Am I overreacting, or should the landlord and environmental health officer be taking further action? What surveys, records, testing, or clearance documents should normally exist after work of this kind?
My landlord’s contractor demolished that wall back to the brickwork without first providing any evidence that the material had been tested. Dust was left throughout my flat, including over belongings that I had stored in the kitchen during the works. This includes bedding, covers, and cushions placed on top of the cupboards, as well as boxes stacked nearby. Dust is also covering the worktops and the tops of the boxes.
I have repeatedly asked the landlord for the asbestos survey, risk assessment, and any air-testing or clearance certification relating to the wall, but they have not provided anything. I am beginning to suspect that the wall was never surveyed.
My understanding is that where asbestos may be present and its status is uncertain, the material should either be tested or treated as though it contains asbestos until proven otherwise. Given that the bedroom ceiling had already tested positive and the material inside the wall appeared to be the same, it seems reasonable to believe that the wall should have been investigated before being demolished.
I reported the matter to the local authority’s environmental health team. However, the officer closed the case, stating: “I cannot see any asbestos present.”
Am I wrong to regard that as an inadequate and potentially unsafe reason for closing the case? Asbestos fibres are microscopic, so surely the absence of visibly identifiable asbestos does not establish that the dust and debris are safe.
I am reluctant to move the contaminated-looking bedding, cushions and boxes because doing so could disturb the dust. The landlord is also refusing to arrange specialist cleaning or provide evidence that the area is safe.
Am I overreacting, or should the landlord and environmental health officer be taking further action? What surveys, records, testing, or clearance documents should normally exist after work of this kind?
