Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to ensure that landlords effectively deal with asbestos within their properties.

Landlords must ensure that the properties that they rent out are safe and tenants have a right to a decent place to live. To raise awareness of this important issue, the government publishes advice at https://www.gov.uk/asbestos-in-home and the Health and Safety Executive has specific advice and guidance at https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/managing/domestic.htm.

Rented homes must be free of the most serious ‘category 1’ hazards, which include but are not limited to issues such as asbestos, assessed using the housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS). Local authorities must take action if they identify category 1 hazards and we have given them enforcement strong powers including fines of up to £30,000.