*Solved* - Buying a House Identified as NOT Containing Asbestos: D Thanks for The Comments Everyone

Adz81 on 04/10/2017 - 08:42
Last edited 05/10/2017 - 08:52

Morning Ozbargainers…

Looking for a few opinions of the community… I'm currently looking at a place to purchase and pre-purchase inspection has identified probable asbestos sheeting in the eaves of the porch and the external planking (Hardiplanks), and noted that it's in good, stable condition. The house was built in 1985 and wall construction is noted on the state government valuation record only as cement sheeting (the inspection was of a visual nature only).

Now, I realise there are health risks associated with the product, but I'm also aware that it was an incredibly useful building product in its time…

Furthermore the house is priced low, as in 3 bedrooms on a good size block for $110k… Externally the house seems fine, internally it needs some work but the works needed are largely cosmetic and not unreasonable given the price of the house.

I'm looking at the place as a primary residence (IE:- not to rent out), and plan to make the required improvements (which the agent has indicated would add approximately $50-60k to the valuation of the property).

My question to the group is, would the probable asbestos content sway you one way or the other given the other positives of the property (house size, price, block size etc)?

Your thoughts and feedback are appreciated.

Update:
I have spoken to the inspector again, he has reviewed some documents that have been supplied (including the original development approval, and is confident that the property does NOT contain asbestos. He didn't have access to these documents at the time of inspection and would prefer to err on the side of caution where asbestos is concerned… So in short… Good times :D

Home & Garden

Comments

  • boomramada on 04/10/2017 - 08:49
    +2

    Your choices are;
    * Get out of the contract?
    * Ignore it (usually asbestos is a worry when you disturbing (ie renovating)
    * Ask seller to remove it (ya right)

  • Slippery Fish on 04/10/2017 - 08:50
    +3

    110k isn't that much, where is it out of interest?

  • barbarella on 04/10/2017 - 09:02

    Perhaps get a quote for the removal of the asbestos???…it could be bargaining power for an even cheaper house price??
    Remember that when you come to selling it a few years down the track the asbestos will still be an issue if you don't get it taken out now.

    • Adz81 on 04/10/2017 - 09:44

      Removing it isn't really an option, it's kind of the whole outside of the house… The seller won't bargain much on the price, it's ex-government housing and they'll sell it as is, take it or leave it because if you don't take it, one of the three lined up behind you will.

  • oscargamer on 04/10/2017 - 09:08
    +13

    You'll be fine. Only a problem if you disturb it.

  • ESEMCE on 04/10/2017 - 09:30
    +5

    I'd hazard a guess that the majority of houses in Australia contain asbestos material in the eaves…
    As mentioned by others above, it's not a problem unless your renovation plans will disturb it.
    Even if they do, you just need to factor the cost of handling the material in an appropriate manner into your renovation costs.

    Given the Asbestos in building materials scare of 2016, arguably it's better that you buy the house where the asbestos is already identified than to have a more recent house built with "hidden" asbestos!

  • Adz81 on 04/10/2017 - 09:41

    Thanks for the comments so far…

    • I'm still in the cooling off period, so have the chance to pull out, but I was wondering what the community consensus was

    • Ignoring seems an option, as has been suggested, it's not always an issue

    • Seller won't remove it, or budge on price (ex-housing trust home, hence the cheap price, but nil flexibility and in this price range, it's a sellers market for this
      area).

  • one man clan on 04/10/2017 - 10:08

    Not an expert but AFAIK asbestos is only really a problem when you disturb it (or it's damaged). Generally if your house has asbestos they will tell you not to touch it, but if you are planning on renovating then it becomes a problem. It can be very expensive to dispose of properly. So if the "improvements" you are planning to do include disturbing the asbestos, you would need to factor in the cost of disposing of and replacing with non-asbestos products. Also, is there a fee to rescind during the cooling off period? Sometimes it's 0.25%

  • slow on 04/10/2017 - 10:14
    +3

    Don't all house built before the 90s have asbestos? It is not a problem if you don't disturb it

  • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2017 - 10:15
    +3

    As mentioned - asbestos is only an issue if it is disturbed. If it concerns you - paint it to minimise the risk of friable bits getting into the air. Also bear in mind that you can't pressure clean it. If it was me I would look at getting cladding. It will sit on the outside of the asbestos, and will probably look much nicer, but at $110K this might be over capitalising. Also be aware if you drill any holes to minimise dust. There are a few good videos on how to do this on google. My shed walls has asbestos in it and I am in and out every weekend - I just make sure not to disturb the panels.

  • mskeggs on 04/10/2017 - 10:19
    +3

    I don't personally think the description you have given has any real risk. Certainly, all my life I have lived in houses with some asbestos sheeting, and the risk is very small (though obviously terrible if your health is affected)
    But when the time comes to sell, people will probably more concerned than they are now, and it isn't impossible that rules will have changed to make removing it mandatory or something. Just something to consider.

    All that said, its a cheap house, so future buyers won't be expecting perfection either.

  • EightImmortals on 04/10/2017 - 10:50
    +4

    We have asbestos all through our place (built in the 60's) and it's not a problem. Just don't mess with it, the danger is in the fibres getting airborne. Otherwise probably cost you a fortune to have it removed/replaced.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2017 - 11:20

    "MORE ASBESTOS, MORE ASBESTOS"

  • dcep on 04/10/2017 - 11:26

    I thought asbestos banned since 1980 ?

    • JIMB0 on 04/10/2017 - 12:16
      +2

      They were allowed to use up stock for many years after production was banned.

      • dcep on 04/10/2017 - 12:24
        +1

        damn that's an ugly move.

        didn't know that.

      • ESEMCE on 05/10/2017 - 09:14

        Plus imported building materials found to still contain Asbestos only last year.
        So while the last houses officially built with Asbestos materials were built in the late 80's early 90's, in reality there's a reasonable chance that houses built since also have asbestos containing materials, especially those built from 2007 onwards when the dollar was riding high and imports were even cheaper!

  • Elppa8 on 04/10/2017 - 12:08

    Check the bathroom and laundry walls if doing renovations as wet areas were done in fibro in the early days as well.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2017 - 12:19
    +1

    $110k? Where is it, in the middle of a tip?

    • Adz81 on 04/10/2017 - 13:52
      +1

      Not quite, it's in a country town, 1km from the town centre, but it's a $110k that needs work though. Not ridiculous, obscene work, but work.

  • djkelly69 on 04/10/2017 - 17:10

    Almost all unrenovated pre-85 houses will have asbestos sheeting in them somewhere. Not a major concern at all. If you are otherwise still happy with the property, carry on!

    Just remember to keep it in mind if and when you are doing some renos.

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