Your Domestic Asbestos Survey Came Back Positive — Here’s What to Do Next
Getting a positive result from a domestic asbestos survey is unsettling. You’re sitting with a report confirming that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are present in your home, and the next steps feel anything but clear.
The good news is that a positive result doesn’t automatically mean you’re in immediate danger. But it does mean you need to act carefully, methodically, and with the right professional advice behind you.
What a Positive Domestic Asbestos Survey Result Actually Means
A positive result means one or more materials sampled during your survey were found to contain asbestos fibres. It does not mean those materials are actively dangerous right now.
The risk asbestos poses depends heavily on its condition and whether it’s likely to be disturbed. Asbestos fibres only become a serious health hazard when they are released into the air and inhaled.
Intact, undisturbed asbestos in good condition can often be safely managed in place rather than removed. Your survey report will include a risk rating for each ACM identified — typically scored on condition, surface treatment, and the likelihood of disturbance. Read these ratings carefully before deciding on your next course of action.
Which Survey Type Produced Your Result?
Understanding which survey type identified the asbestos matters, because it shapes what happens next. The three main types used in domestic properties are:
- Management survey: The standard survey for properties in normal occupation. It identifies ACMs that could be damaged or disturbed during everyday use and routine maintenance.
- Refurbishment survey: Required before any renovation or intrusive works. It’s more thorough than a management survey and involves destructive inspection of areas that will be disturbed.
- Demolition survey: The most thorough type, required before a building is demolished. It aims to locate all ACMs throughout the entire structure.
If your positive result came from a management survey, the ACMs identified are likely accessible materials in normal-use areas. If it came from a refurbishment or demolition survey, the findings may relate to hidden materials that would be disturbed by planned works.
Understanding the Health Risks — Without Overstating Them
Asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis, are serious and irreversible. They are caused by repeated or significant inhalation of asbestos fibres over time.
The UK has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world — a direct legacy of widespread asbestos use in construction throughout much of the twentieth century.
That said, a single positive result in a domestic property does not mean you or your family have been exposed to dangerous fibre levels. If the materials are in good condition and haven’t been disturbed, the risk of ongoing fibre release is low.
The key rule is simple: do not disturb any identified ACMs yourself. Do not drill, sand, cut, or otherwise interfere with any material listed in your survey report until you have professional advice on how to proceed.
Your Immediate Actions After a Positive Result
Once you have a positive domestic asbestos survey result in hand, there’s a clear sequence of steps to follow.
1. Read the Full Report Carefully
Your report should include an asbestos register listing every ACM found, its location, its condition, and a risk score. Read each entry and note which materials have been rated as high risk versus those rated as low risk or manageable.
A reputable survey report will also include a management plan — guidance on what action is recommended for each ACM, whether that’s monitoring, encapsulation, or removal.
2. Do Not Disturb Any Identified Materials
This is the single most important immediate action. Until you have professional advice, treat every identified ACM as if it poses a risk.
Avoid any DIY work in areas where ACMs have been found, and make sure anyone else living in or visiting the property is aware of the same restriction.
3. Inform Anyone Who Needs to Know
If you’re a landlord, you have a legal obligation under the Control of Asbestos Regulations to manage asbestos in your property and to ensure that anyone who might disturb it — including tradespeople and contractors — is made aware of its presence before they begin work. Failure to do so is a serious breach of your duty of care.
If you’re a homeowner planning renovation works, you’ll need to share the survey findings with any contractor you engage. Reputable contractors will expect to see this documentation before starting work.
4. Decide Whether Removal or Management Is the Right Approach
Not every positive result requires immediate asbestos removal. In many cases — particularly where materials are in good condition and are not going to be disturbed — the recommended approach is to manage the asbestos in place and monitor it regularly.
Removal is typically recommended when:
- The material is in poor condition and actively deteriorating
- You are planning renovation, refurbishment, or demolition work that will disturb the material
- The material is in a location where it is likely to be regularly disturbed
- The risk rating in your survey report indicates high risk
Managing Asbestos in Place: The Monitoring Approach
If your survey report recommends management rather than removal, you’ll need to put a monitoring regime in place. This means scheduling regular re-inspection surveys to check the condition of identified ACMs over time.
The frequency of re-inspection depends on the condition and risk rating of the materials. Higher-risk materials may need checking more frequently, while stable, low-risk materials may require less regular review. Your surveyor will advise on the appropriate interval based on the specific findings in your report.
A reinspection survey checks whether the condition of known ACMs has changed since the last assessment. If a material has deteriorated, the recommended action may escalate from monitoring to encapsulation or removal.
Keep a record of all survey reports and re-inspection findings. This forms your asbestos management file and demonstrates that you are actively managing the risk in line with HSE guidance.
When Removal Is Necessary: What to Expect
If removal is the right course of action, you must use a licensed contractor. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, most asbestos removal work — particularly involving high-risk materials such as asbestos insulation board (AIB), sprayed coatings, and lagging — must be carried out by a contractor licensed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Here’s what a professional removal process typically involves:
- Pre-removal survey: If you haven’t already had a refurbishment or demolition survey, one will be required before work begins to ensure all ACMs in the work area are identified.
- Notification to the HSE: Licensed contractors are required to notify the HSE before starting licensed asbestos removal work.
- Controlled removal: The work area is sealed off using enclosures and negative pressure units to prevent fibre release. Workers wear appropriate PPE including respiratory protective equipment.
- Air monitoring: Air testing is carried out during and after removal to ensure fibre levels are within safe limits.
- Safe disposal: Asbestos waste is double-bagged in correctly labelled hazard bags and disposed of at a licensed waste facility. It cannot be placed in standard household waste.
- Clearance certificate: A four-stage clearance procedure is completed, including a final air test, before the area is signed off as safe to reoccupy.
Always ask to see a contractor’s HSE licence before engaging them for removal work. You can verify a contractor’s licence status directly on the HSE website.
Asbestos Testing: Confirming What’s in Your Home
If you have suspect materials in your home but haven’t yet had a full survey, asbestos testing is a practical first step. Samples are analysed in a UKAS-accredited laboratory using polarised light microscopy (PLM) to confirm whether asbestos fibres are present and, if so, which type.
For homeowners who want to collect a sample themselves from a clearly accessible, undamaged material, a testing kit can be ordered and sent to a laboratory for analysis. However, if you are unsure whether a material is safe to sample, or if the material is damaged, always get a qualified surveyor to collect the sample for you.
Sample testing alone doesn’t replace a full domestic asbestos survey. A survey provides the complete picture — location, condition, risk rating, and management recommendations — that asbestos testing alone cannot deliver.
The Legal Framework: What Homeowners and Landlords Need to Know
The legal obligations around asbestos differ depending on whether you’re a homeowner occupying your own property or a landlord with tenants.
Homeowners
Private homeowners living in their own homes are not subject to the same legal duty to manage asbestos as landlords or commercial property managers. However, if you engage contractors to carry out work in your home, you have a responsibility to share any known asbestos information with them.
Knowingly allowing workers to disturb asbestos without warning them is dangerous and potentially actionable. Even without a formal legal duty, the responsible course of action is always to disclose.
Landlords
Landlords have a legal duty under the Control of Asbestos Regulations to manage asbestos in their properties. This includes:
- Identifying ACMs through a suitable survey
- Assessing and managing the risk
- Maintaining an up-to-date asbestos register
- Ensuring that anyone who may disturb the materials is informed
The HSE’s guidance document HSG264 sets out the standards that surveys must meet to be considered compliant. Non-compliance can result in enforcement action by the HSE, significant fines, and — more importantly — serious harm to tenants, maintenance workers, and contractors.
Additional Considerations for Landlords
If your property also requires a fire risk assessment, it’s worth combining both exercises where possible. Many of the access requirements overlap, and addressing both obligations at the same time is more efficient and cost-effective.
What to Expect From a Supernova Domestic Asbestos Survey
At Supernova Asbestos Surveys, every domestic asbestos survey is carried out by BOHS P402-qualified surveyors — the recognised qualification standard for asbestos surveying in the UK.
Here’s how the process works:
- Booking: Contact us by phone or online. We confirm availability quickly and often offer same-week appointments.
- Site visit: Your surveyor attends at the agreed time and carries out a thorough visual inspection, taking samples from any suspect materials using correct containment procedures.
- Laboratory analysis: Samples are analysed at our UKAS-accredited laboratory using polarised light microscopy.
- Report delivery: You receive a detailed written report — including an asbestos register, risk assessment, and management plan — typically within 3–5 working days.
The report is fully compliant with HSG264 and meets all requirements under the Control of Asbestos Regulations. With over 50,000 surveys completed and more than 900 five-star reviews, Supernova is one of the UK’s most trusted names in asbestos surveying. We operate across England, Scotland, and Wales, with transparent fixed pricing and no hidden fees.
Transparent Pricing: What a Domestic Asbestos Survey Costs
We believe in straightforward pricing with no surprises. Here’s a guide to our standard costs:
- Management Survey: From £195 for a standard residential property
- Refurbishment & Demolition Survey: From £295, covering all areas to be disturbed
- Re-inspection Survey: From £150, plus £20 per ACM re-inspected
- Bulk Sample Testing Kit: Available from our online shop for homeowners wanting to test specific materials
All prices are inclusive of laboratory analysis and your written report. There are no call-out charges and no hidden extras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a positive domestic asbestos survey mean I have to leave my home?
No. A positive result does not mean your home is immediately unsafe to occupy. The risk depends on the condition of the materials and whether they are likely to be disturbed. In many cases, asbestos in good condition can be safely managed in place while you remain in the property. Your surveyor’s report will indicate the appropriate course of action for each material identified.
Can I remove asbestos myself after a positive survey result?
In most cases, no. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, the removal of high-risk materials such as asbestos insulation board, sprayed coatings, and lagging must be carried out by an HSE-licensed contractor. Even for lower-risk materials, DIY removal is strongly discouraged due to the risk of fibre release. Always seek professional advice before attempting any work involving identified ACMs.
How long does it take to get a domestic asbestos survey report?
At Supernova Asbestos Surveys, reports are typically delivered within 3–5 working days of the site visit. The report includes a full asbestos register, condition assessments, risk ratings, and management recommendations — everything you need to make an informed decision about next steps.
Do I need to tell my mortgage lender or insurer about a positive asbestos survey?
It is advisable to check the terms of both your mortgage and your buildings insurance policy. Some insurers require disclosure of known hazards, and mortgage lenders may have specific requirements where ACMs are identified. Failure to disclose known information could affect your cover or your mortgage agreement, so it’s always better to check with your provider directly.
How often should I have a re-inspection after a positive domestic asbestos survey?
The frequency depends on the condition and risk rating of the materials identified. Higher-risk or deteriorating materials may require re-inspection annually or more frequently, while stable, low-risk materials may only need reviewing every two to three years. Your surveyor will recommend an appropriate interval based on the specific findings in your report, and this should be reviewed each time a re-inspection is carried out.
Get Expert Help From Supernova Asbestos Surveys
If your domestic asbestos survey has come back positive — or if you suspect asbestos is present and haven’t yet had a survey — Supernova Asbestos Surveys is here to help. Our BOHS-qualified surveyors operate nationwide, delivering clear, actionable reports that tell you exactly where you stand and what to do next.
Call us on 020 4586 0680 or visit asbestos-surveys.org.uk to book your survey or request a quote. We offer same-week appointments in most areas, with transparent fixed pricing and no hidden fees.