Douglas Council has outlined the estimated cost of asbestos surveys and removals over the past five years.

The figures were provided in response to a question from councillor John Skinner.

For the Housing Maintenance Service, the total cost of asbestos surveys since the year 2016-17 was £48,563, with £15,540 spent in the year 2020-21. The service’s total estimated cost of asbestos removals since the year 2016-17 was £14,346, with £5,399 spent in the year 2020-21.

For capital projects (such as the refurbishment of Willaston) the total cost of absestos surveys since 2016-17 was £215,615, with £3,835 spent in 2020-21.

Its total cost of asbestos removals since 2016-17 was £116,749.23, with £19,117.28 spent in 2020-21. For non-social housing stock [commercial and council property assets] the cost of surveys since 2016-17 was £6,135, with zero spent in 2020-21.

The total cost of asbestos removals since 2016-17 was £22,468, with £150 spent in 2020-21.

The chair of the Housing and Property Committee, Claire Wells, reiterated that if a building was built before 2000, then it should be suspected to contain asbestos unless it has been surveyed to clarify that there is none.

She also outlined that the Landlord and Tenancy Act of 1985 states that property to let must be fit for human habitation, and specifies that any asbestos material in unsafe condition must be dealt with prior to a tenancy beginning.

The council also have a legal duty under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 to ensure the safety of tenants, for the whole building including the common areas.

Any ’known or presumed’ asbestos within a building must be managed in situ or removed in full compliance with the regulations.