Launch of Disclosure of asbestos in residential property awareness campaign
In Australia, asbestos is still found in 1 in 3 homes – and if a home was built before 1990, asbestos can be found anywhere inside or outside of the property. But the presence of asbestos doesn’t have to be a deal breaker when buying, selling, renting or leasing a home.
Asbestos is dangerous when damaged, disturbed or deteriorating. Hence, you can stay safe if you know whether your home contains asbestos, where it is and how to manage it.
To help Australians stay safe around asbestos, we have launched a national campaign on the importance and requirements around disclosing the presence of asbestos in residential properties when buying, selling, renting or leasing.
As a part of the campaign, we have developed a number of new resources:
- fact sheets on the rights and obligations of buyers and sellers, as well as renters and landlords around asbestos disclosure; the fact sheets provide an overview of the rules for each state and territory
- fact sheet on arranging a residential asbestos assessment
- a property disclosure tool
- informational videos which provide a quick overview on asbestos property disclosure for buyers and sellers, and renters and landlords.
The campaign encourages sellers to disclose the presence of asbestos in their properties, to minimise the health risks for buyers – in some states and territories, they may be legally obligated to do this. It also encourages landlords to identify, disclose and manage the presence of asbestos in their properties, to minimise the health risks for renters.
For more information about asbestos property disclosure when buying, selling, renting or leasing a home, visit the campaign webpage.
