This is one of the most common questions, and the short answer is: the law requires the certificate, not removal. Here's the difference between certifying the property's situation and physically removing the asbestos, and when each one makes sense.
What the law clearly requires is the certificate: a document certifying the presence or absence of visible asbestos and its condition. It does not generally establish that asbestos in good condition must be removed as a precondition for the transaction. The regulation that must develop the law's details is still being drafted, so it's worth watching for further clarification.
The certificate. It's the document you need, no question, to complete a sale or rental from 3 October 2026 onward. Removal is a separate decision that may make sense depending on what the certificate says, but the law doesn't impose it as a mandatory prior step in every case.
It's worth considering if the certificate flags the material as deteriorated or friable, if the buyer or tenant explicitly requests it as a condition of the deal, or simply if you'd rather clear the matter entirely and sell or rent without any uncertainty tied to asbestos.
No. My work is the visual inspection and issuing the certificate, not physically removing the material. Asbestos removal is a specialised, regulated process that must be carried out by companies specifically authorised for it, following the procedures and safety measures that activity requires.
The first step is having the certificate, because it tells you exactly where the asbestos is and what condition it's in. With that information in hand, the next step is to contact a specialised, authorised asbestos-removal company, since they're the ones who can plan and carry out the work correctly.
Get a quote →It can make things easier if the buyer or tenant is particularly sensitive about it, but it's not a requirement to be able to sell or rent. In many cases, a certificate confirming the material is in good condition is enough to move ahead without delays.
It's possible. The law envisages an implementing regulation that should clarify aspects such as which professionals are authorised, the procedures, and possibly other requirements. Until it's published, the prudent approach is to rely on what's known for certain today and to check official sources or a professional for your specific case if you have particular doubts.
First, get the certificate so you know exactly what's there and in what condition. Second, with that result in hand, assess whether removal makes sense (because of the material's condition, a request from the other party, or your own peace of mind) or whether you can move ahead with the sale or rental as it stands. It's an orderly process with no surprises.