Asbestos regulations for your commercial property

If you’re the landlord, tenant or managing agent of a commercial property you may be responsible for managing asbestos, unless your contract or lease says otherwise.

What you must do

  1. If you have a lease or contract, check who is responsible for asbestos.

  2. Find out where the asbestos is (you’ll probably need an external accredited surveyor to carry out an asbestos survey).

  3. Have the material analysed and keep a record of what you find.

  4. Carry out a health and safety risk assessment.

  5. Share the information with anyone likely to come into contact with the area, such as builders.

  6. Keep anything containing asbestos in good repair or have it sealed or removed.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) will help you find an accredited surveyor and testing laboratory.

Penalties

If you do not have a plan to deal with asbestos and put it in action, you could face:

  • a fine of up to £20,000
  • imprisonment for up to 12 months

For a serious breach you could face an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years.

Owners of derelict or vacant premises and warehouses also need an asbestos survey.

More detailed information

In England, Scotland and Wales

Find more on managing asbestos on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.

In Northern Ireland

The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) website has guidance for employees and employers on managing asbestos.

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