Are you currently in the process of looking for a house to buy in Onehunga? If so, the idea of some homes containing asbestos within their construction is probably enough to take them off your ‘to view’ list. We know that exposure to asbestos is severely dangerous, but should you give up on a house because it contains it? Here we’ll discuss the factors surrounding buying and selling homes that contain asbestos.
Is It Illegal To Sell A House That Contains Asbestos?
Even though asbestos was banned in the late ’90s, it’s still possible to find houses that contain asbestos. Homeowners and construction companies across New Zealand have been steadily working towards removing all asbestos-contaminated building materials that they find so that eventually, the country will be rid of the toxic substance.
However, it’s still common enough that most people aren’t even aware that they have asbestos on the property. If a homeowner is putting their home on the market, and they know that they have asbestos, they’re legally required to disclose this information to prospective buyers, for obvious reasons. If the material is in good condition, the property can legally be sold. It’s only once the asbestos has become damaged and is spreading fibres through the air, that it poses a threat. In this situation, selling the property could become challenging.
What Can You Do?
As asbestos isn’t dangerous while it’s still intact, you should get an asbestos survey on the property you want to buy. There might be asbestos in the home that the current owners don’t know about. If there is, you might be able to negotiate a lower selling price because asbestos immediately decreases the value of the house. However, before you negotiate for a bargain, you should also get an asbestos removal specialist to send you a quote of how much it will cost to remove it. That way, you get your money’s worth during the sale.
Asbestos is not something to be taken lightly, but it isn’t impossible to buy or sell a home that has asbestos in it. However, because it’s such a dangerous toxin, you need to do it the right way. Call in an inspector to check your home before you put it on the Onehunga market, which will buy you the time you need to hire an asbestos removal specialist. If you find asbestos in your home, to be safe, and to lessen your worries, make sure that you remove it before you put the for-sale sign outside.
