I'm interested in buying an older 1950s art deco style property - the real estate agent says the cladding is fibre cement board with asbestos in it. How concerned should I be about this? or is it fine as long as its in good condition and water tight? Is there a stigma that would inhibit resale, or is this normal for properties in NZ?...

timmeh111 - 2021-01-28 19:47:00

Well you have thought about it so in the future others will talk about this too, so there is a stigma.You could factor in a price to remove the cladding and replace with something else.Left alone it will probably last another 30 years.

msigg - 2021-01-28 21:08:00

As it has been disclosed, you should disclose it to any insurer you are getting quotes from; they may impose conditions due to asbestos cladding. Not disclosing something you are aware of prior to purchase could impact cover. Aside from that, I personally wouldn't purchase a house with known asbestos - yes, it's 'fine' if kept contained, but it takes a small amount of water/fire damage for it not to be.

rhys12 - 2021-01-28 22:01:00

rhys12 wrote:

As it has been disclosed, you should disclose it to any insurer you are getting quotes from; they may impose conditions due to asbestos cladding. Not disclosing something you are aware of prior to purchase could impact cover. Aside from that, I personally wouldn't purchase a house with known asbestos - yes, it's 'fine' if kept contained, but it takes a small amount of water/fire damage for it not to be.

And yet water mains in most cities in NZ have asbestos in them, go figure.

mrcat1 - 2021-01-28 22:51:00

This message was deleted.

andrew697 - 2021-01-29 06:36:00

The old Fibrolite asbestos-reinforced cement board was a good building material and will out-last the replacement containing wood fibre. It is quite okay as long as it is painted to keep the fibres contained.

masturbidder - 2021-01-29 09:11:00

I don't even think it's illegal to import and use asbestos products in NZ.

apollo11 - 2021-01-29 11:25:00

apollo11 wrote:

I don't even think it's illegal to import and use asbestos products in NZ.

Imports and Exports (Asbestos-containing Products) Prohibition Order 2016

Illegal - exemption can be applied for possible if there's no alternative available.

sparkychap - 2021-01-29 11:31:00

andrew697 wrote:

Just because idiots in authority installed water pipes with asbestos (probably many years ago) doesn't mean its good for your health or safe!

Do you drink the water out of your tap??

mrcat1 - 2021-01-29 16:22:00

mrcat1 wrote:

And yet water mains in most cities in NZ have asbestos in them, go figure.

You can drink and eat asbestos without health effects but you breath it in you cause damage to your lungs

andrewcg53 - 2021-01-30 11:53:00

The member deleted this message.

andrew697 - 2021-01-30 12:26:00