Serious question time, WWYD?

amycorn

We went to look at a house the other day (rental). It's my dream house. Except for the asbestos... 

Owner said if this was the only thing preventing us from moving in he would get it removed before we moved in. WWYD?

Is it uncouth of me to ask for proof that all of it is gone?

MrsT0514

I agree with @justaphase. If he's going to have it removed, he should more than willingly show proof that its all completely gone.

amycorn

justAphase said:

Not uncouth at all. He shouldn't be renting at all unless it's all removed anyways.

Really? By law? Or just because it ain't cool. It's seriously the house I want to spend the rest of my life with. And by life I mean amount of time it takes to buy a house for reals.

I'm just not sure how to ask in a polite way I guess.

LoveActually4

Is it exposed? Is there work being done to the house or pipes?

My understanding is that asbestos is very common in older buildings and it is only a problem when it is disturbed during construction/repairs.

If it really bothers you and he's offering to remove it, go for it but I actually think we may have it in our house and I've never thought twice about it.

amycorn

mamaREB29 said:

Is it exposed? Is there work being done to the house or pipes? My understanding is that asbestos is very common in older buildings and it is only a problem when it is disturbed during construction/repairs. If it really bothers you and he's offering to remove it, go for it but I actually think we may have it in our house and I've never thought twice about it.

According to him it's only in the pipes and the house inspector said it's "minor if left alone".

I think I'm weary since I know if someone who died a horrid death due to asbestos :-/

amycorn

justAphase said:

Isn't asbestos like something that can keep a house from passing inspection? Could he sell it?

Not where I live I guess. 

Monkeybabe

mamaREB29 said:

Is it exposed? Is there work being done to the house or pipes? My understanding is that asbestos is very common in older buildings and it is only a problem when it is disturbed during construction/repairs. If it really bothers you and he's offering to remove it, go for it but I actually think we may have it in our house and I've never thought twice about it.

It's dangerous when airborne, so as long as it's contained, it's usually considered okay. At least in Oregon, a contractor has to have special certification to deal with asbestos, and the house basically has to be sealed to avoid it getting out. There are a fair amount of homes here with asbestos siding, and so long as they're taken care of and kept painted, they're not at all dangerous.

LoveActually4

I would call an independent inspection agency and ask them to have a look at it and whether or not it's a risk to your family.

MsMommy2012

mamaREB29 said:

I would call an independent inspection agency and ask them to have a look at it and whether or not it's a risk to your family.

This is what I would do too. 

amycorn

HilarityEnsued said:

I have no idea where you live but in many states a building is not considered legally habitable with asbestos. If it is discovered then an asbestos remediation plan is mandated. I a kind of shocked that the owner openly acknowledged that this is an issue.

It would 1,000% be a deal breaker for me, especially with little kids. It is nothing to mess around with at all. If the house is really a dream house and has no renters, it likely to good to be true.  How old is the owner? Honestly I would demand a full inspection and prof of a remediation plan before you even consider moving in. 

It has current renters, and they are moving out in November. 

I think I will ask for the inspection for sure

amycorn

HilarityEnsued said:

I wouldn't worry about being polite but I would absolutely get a full paper trail for everything. Make sure to document all of the discussions and his agreements. I am seriously shocked someone is trying to rent that place out. 

Maybe I'll have Chad deal with it all since he will be more straight forward with it all

Assembly_Reqd

If it is encapsulated like underneath a new layer of tile it's o.k.

You need to weigh the fact that the removal process will introduce asbestos into the air. If you want him to remove it, he should hire a special contractor. They will remove it, dispose of it legally and certify the work. There are many safety precautions needed during removal to keep the particles from being released into the air. 

ETA: if you own a house with pipes wrapped with asbestos and those pipes need work, you will need to abate them. As soon as you disturb it, you're on the hook for the cost of removal.

NotSharknado

Um, of course this would be an issue. WTAF is wrong with that guy?

amycorn

HilarityEnsued said:

The remediation plans typically involve sealing it up. Depending on where it is in the structure it is unlikely it will be fully removed. It just has to be completely sealed with no exposure in living quarters. I believe there are also some issues if it is around HVAC units.

hmmmmm ok. Chad (dh) is actually an HVAC mechanic so I think he is trained in all of this. Best to let him take care of it. If he says no to the place then that's it.

OhSewCrafty

Abatement is expensive and "leaving it alone" is all well and good until down the road when a pipe breaks and you need to call in very expensive specialists to handle it. I say get proof that its done or walk away. Its not worth it.

amycorn

I'm thinking for a rental maybe it's just not worth the stress?