Asbestos in the common parts.
In short
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 place a duty to manage asbestos on whoever is responsible for maintaining non-domestic premises, and the common parts of a block of flats count. For a building constructed before 2000 that means finding out whether asbestos is present, recording where it is and its condition, managing the risk, reviewing the plan regularly and telling anyone who might disturb it.
Do the common parts of a block need an asbestos survey?
If the building was constructed before 2000, yes, in practice. The duty to manage starts with finding out whether asbestos is present, which for most blocks means a management survey of the common parts: halls, stairs, plant and meter rooms, roof spaces and lift shafts. Where it cannot be confirmed either way, materials should be presumed to contain asbestos.
What is an asbestos register and management plan?
The register records where asbestos is, or is presumed to be, and its condition. The management plan says how the risk will be controlled: leaving it in place and monitoring it, sealing it, or removing it, and who must be told before work starts.
How often should the asbestos plan be reviewed?
The Regulations require the plan to be reviewed and monitored regularly; they do not set an interval. Most managing agents have known materials re-inspected and the plan reviewed every year, and sooner after any work that may have disturbed them.
What is needed before works?
Before refurbishment or anything intrusive, a refurbishment and demolition survey of the area affected, and the register handed to every contractor who might disturb the fabric. A management survey is not enough for intrusive work.
Where Servanda comes in
Servanda keeps the survey, the register and the review date on the register for each site, and shares the documents a contractor needs with their job, so the information is in front of them before they start.
Everything Servanda doesThe law
The legislation is the authority; this page is a plain summary for England, checked on 2026-10-23. Wales and Scotland have their own rules. Take advice on any particular building.