Student HMOs are a popular investment across the South of England, particularly in towns and cities with large university populations. However, many of these properties are older buildings that may still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). For landlords, understanding the risks and responsibilities surrounding asbestos is essential for protecting tenants, contractors and the property itself.
At Danguard, we work with landlords, property managers and letting agents to provide professional asbestos services tailored to student accommodation and HMO properties.
Why asbestos can be an issue in student lets
Many university lets and HMOs were built or renovated before asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999. As a result, asbestos may still be present in areas such as textured coatings, ceiling tiles, floor coverings, pipe insulation, soffits or garage roofs.
While asbestos materials are not always dangerous if left undisturbed, problems can arise during maintenance work, refurbishments or general wear and tear. Student properties often experience a higher turnover of tenants and more frequent maintenance work, increasing the likelihood of accidental disturbance.
This is why arranging a professional asbestos survey is an important step for landlords managing older student accommodation.
Understanding landlord responsibilities
For HMOs with communal areas, landlords and managing agents may have a legal duty to manage asbestos under current regulations. This includes identifying whether asbestos is present, assessing the risk and ensuring appropriate management plans are in place.
If refurbishment work is planned during the summer turnaround period between tenancies, further surveys may also be required before work begins. Failing to identify asbestos before renovation work can lead to delays, additional costs and potential health risks.
At Danguard, our experienced asbestos surveyors help landlords understand exactly what is required for their property and provide clear, practical guidance throughout the process.
How Danguard can help
We provide a wide range of asbestos services designed to support landlords and property managers across the South West and surrounding areas.
Our services include:
- Management asbestos surveys for HMOs and communal areas
- Refurbishment and demolition surveys before renovation work
- Sampling and laboratory testing
- Risk assessments and asbestos registers
- Ongoing asbestos management support
As trusted providers of asbestos testing, we carry out thorough inspections and provide detailed reports that are easy to understand and suitable for contractors, maintenance teams and compliance records.
Supporting refurbishment projects
Summer is often the busiest period for student property renovations, with landlords carrying out upgrades before the next academic year begins. Before any refurbishment work takes place, it is essential to identify potential asbestos-containing materials that could be disturbed during the project.
Our team regularly supports developers, landlords and contractors with pre-refurbishment surveys to help projects run safely and efficiently. Whether you’re planning minor improvements or large-scale upgrades, our professional asbestos surveyor team can help ensure work is completed in line with current regulations.
Protecting tenants and properties
Managing asbestos properly is not just about compliance – it’s about protecting people. Student tenants should feel confident that the property they are living in is safe and well maintained, while landlords benefit from reduced risk and greater peace of mind.
At Danguard, we pride ourselves on delivering reliable, professional asbestos services across the region. From routine inspections to comprehensive asbestos surveys south-west, we help landlords manage their responsibilities with confidence and keep student accommodation safe for everyone involved.
