Buying, Selling or Renting an Older Home with Asbestos
What to check before you buy, sell or rent.
SafeWork SA licensed. We'll be in touch within 30 minutes.
The short answer
A Form 1 vendor statement is not an asbestos survey.
The Form R3 buyer's information notice flags asbestos as a possible risk.
Homes built or renovated before the mid-1980s are highly likely to contain it,
so inspect before you commit. Renters report damage to the landlord or agent,
and Housing Trust tenants call 131 288.
The vendor statement. It is not an asbestos survey, so it will not tell you what is in the walls.
The buyer's information notice. It flags asbestos as a possible risk to think about with older homes.
Buying: before you sign
The 4 point checklist
- The Form 1 vendor statement is not an asbestos survey. Do not read it as one.
- The Form R3 buyer's information notice flags asbestos as a possible risk in older homes.
- Built or renovated before the mid-1980s: asbestos products highly likely. Mid-1980s to 1990: likely.
- Book an inspection before you commit so any removal is priced into your decision.
Selling: before you list
The 3 point checklist
- If asbestos was removed, keep the clearance certificate and disposal paperwork handy. Buyers ask.
- Test anything you plan to fix up before sale. A clear result in writing is worth having.
- Do not let a quick tidy up turn into sanding or cutting old sheeting.
Renting: tenants and landlords
The 3 point checklist
- Tenants: report damaged asbestos to the landlord or agent. Do not drill, sand or clean it up.
- Landlords must get repairs done in a reasonable time.
- Housing Trust tenants: call maintenance on 131 288.
What a pre-purchase check costs
A single lab test is around $105 inc GST,
or around $76 a sample for 2 to 10 samples.
A full inspection with a written report is quoted on site and lists what may
contain asbestos, its condition, and what to do about it.
Guide only, inc GST. Your firm price is set in writing once we have seen the job.
How it works, start to finish
One fixed quote, with independent air monitoring and clearance for licensed removal.
Quick chat. Tell us what you found and we tell you straight if it can wait.
Testing if needed. A small sealed sample goes to a NATA accredited lab for a clear answer.
Fixed quote. One written price for the work, the wrapping and the disposal.
Neighbours told. We let next door know what is happening, when, and for how long.
SafeWork SA notified. For licensed removal, SafeWork SA hears from us at least 5 days before work starts.
Independent air monitoring. An independent licensed assessor checks the air before and during licensed removal.
Removal. The area is sealed, sheets come out whole and damp, then double wrapped.
Independent clearance. Someone independent checks the area before anyone uses it again.
Waste to a licensed facility. Wrapped waste goes to a licensed facility and you keep the paperwork.
Questions from buyers, sellers and renters
I'm buying an older home. What does Form 1 tell me?
Less than many buyers expect.
The Form 1 vendor statement is not an asbestos survey.
The Form R3 buyer's information notice flags asbestos as a possible risk in
older homes. If the home was built or renovated before the mid-1980s,
asbestos products are highly likely,
so an inspection before you commit is a sensible step.
I rent a Housing Trust home. Who do I call?
Call Housing Trust maintenance on 131 288 and describe what is damaged.
Do not drill, sand or clean it up yourself.
In any rental, report damaged asbestos to the landlord or agent.
Landlords must get repairs done in a reasonable time.
I rent privately and something is cracked. What now?
Leave it alone,
keep people away from it and tell your landlord or agent in writing.
Landlords must get repairs done in a reasonable time.
If the owner asks us to look, we test, quote and do the work.
How likely is asbestos in a home my age?
Homes built or renovated before the mid-1980s are highly likely to contain
asbestos products. Mid-1980s to 1990, likely.
After 1990, unlikely but not guaranteed.
Only a NATA accredited lab test confirms it.
Can I remove asbestos myself in SA?
SA guidance says a homeowner working on their own home does not legally need a
licence, but it strongly recommends a licensed removalist.
A contractor without a licence can only remove 10 m² or less of bonded
asbestos per project and cannot split a job to get under that.
Friable asbestos always needs a Class A removalist.
What does a clearance certificate cover?
It confirms the work area is fit to use again after removal.
After Class A work, an independent licensed assessor does the clearance.
After Class B work, an independent competent person or assessor does it.
The area is only reoccupied once clearance is done.
Book a pre-purchase asbestos check
We will be in touch within 30 minutes. If it can wait, we will say so.
If it should not be touched, we will tell you what to do in the meantime.
Then we do the job ourselves, start to finish.
- No photo upload needed. Just describe it.
- Your details are used only to answer you.