DO LANDLORDS NEED AN ASBESTOS SURVEY FOR THEIR MANSFIELD PROPERTY? 

If you rent out residential property in Mansfield, you may be wondering whether you’re legally required to carry out an asbestos survey. While it’s often assumed asbestos only applies to commercial buildings, residential landlords also have specific legal duties — especially for shared spaces and maintenance responsibilities.

In this guide, we break down when landlords need to act, what the law says, and how to protect your tenants, your property, and your business.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS 

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, any person or organisation responsible for the repair or maintenance of non-domestic premises has a legal “duty to manage” asbestos.

In residential lettings, this applies to:

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• Communal areas in flats or HMOs (e.g. stairwells, boiler rooms, roof voids)
• Converted buildings with shared entryways, basements or plant rooms
• External parts of the building maintained by the landlord (e.g. garages, roofs)
• Any space accessed by workers or tradespeople

If you manage or maintain any of these areas, you are considered a dutyholder and must identify and manage asbestos risks.

👉 For more detail, visit Asbestos Guidance for Businesses

DOES THIS APPLY TO ALL RENTAL PROPERTIES? 

Yes, it can — especially in Mansfield, where many rented properties were built before 2000 and include:

• Mid-century council houses now privately let
• 1960s and 70s flats and maisonettes
• Older terraced houses and large Victorian properties converted into HMOs
• Garage blocks and external storage units

If asbestos is present in shared parts of the building, or you’re arranging works that may disturb it, you are legally responsible for managing the risk.

WHERE ASBESTOS IS COMMON IN RENTAL PROPERTIES 

• Artex ceilings and textured wall coatings
• Pipe boxing and old hot water systems
• Cement garage roofs and soffits
• Stairwells and partition walls in communal areas
• Fuse board backing panels
• Floor tiles and adhesives
• Loft spaces with insulation boards

👉 Read: Where Asbestos Is Found in Homes

WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED AN ASBESTOS SURVEY 

You should consider a Management Asbestos Survey if:

• You’re arranging maintenance, repairs or upgrades
• You’ve never had the property checked and it was built pre-2000
• You need to provide asbestos information to contractors
• You’re preparing for a licensing inspection (e.g. HMO licence)
• A tenant reports suspicious materials or damaged areas

You may also need a Refurbishment & Demolition (R&D) Survey before any intrusive works like re-wiring, re-plumbing, or structural alterations.

WHAT THE SURVEY INVOLVES 

• Visual inspection of accessible areas
• Sampling of suspect materials
• A written asbestos register
• Risk assessment and material condition ratings
• A clear management plan (if asbestos is found)

This helps protect your tenants and your legal standing — and is often a requirement for building insurance or letting compliance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR LANDLORDS 

• Asbestos can still be present in thousands of Mansfield rentals
• You are responsible for shared and structural parts of the property
• Surveys are not just for businesses — they apply to landlords too
• Testing and management are cost-effective and often prevent bigger problems
• HSE can issue enforcement notices or fines for non-compliance

📍 Local Help in Mansfield

We support landlords across Mansfield and surrounding areas, including Forest Town, Ravensdale, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Rainworth. Whether you manage one property or a whole portfolio, we’ll make compliance simple.

👉 Book an Asbestos Survey