LiviosAsbestos in Flanders still remains problematic enough to require firm measures to be taken. From November 23 of this year, it will be mandatory to submit an asbestos test when selling your home. Bouwsite Livios asked OVAM what exactly this means and how much it costs.
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“The asbestos test lists accurately the state of the house in terms of asbestos,” explains Jan Verheyen of waste company OVAM. “We estimate that there are still about 2,300,000 tons of asbestos products processed throughout Flanders, of which about 855,000 are in private homes and apartments. We would like to map this out properly, which is why from November 23, 2022, every seller is obliged to have an asbestos test for his home, if it dates from before 2001. This way the buyer knows where he or she stands. By 2032, in exactly ten years, it is the intention that every home built before 2001 has such a mandatory certificate, whether it is for sale or not.”
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Not sure how to identify asbestos? This infographic will help you on your way.
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How much does such a certificate cost and how do I get hold of it?
How much an asbestos test costs depends on the size of the home. “Keep in mind a few hundred euros,” says Verheyen. “These are borne by the seller and include both the investigation and the certificate itself. For both you have to turn to an asbestos expert.”
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What if asbestos is found?
Do not panic if asbestos is found in your home. “The asbestos certificate is mainly an information certificate,” Verheyen reassures. “You are not obliged to intervene immediately. But this way you know what can be found in your home, so that as a do-it-yourselfer, for example, you do not unwittingly break down things that expose you to harmful particles. You are only obliged to have them removed if you are going to renovate and asbestos products are released as a result.” Read here how to do that
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Where can I find someone who can safely remove it?
There are three degrees of possible interventions. “You can remove a lot of asbestos products yourself as a private individual. To this end, many municipalities make subsidies available in collaboration with OVAM and provide, for example, free bags and protective clothing.
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“In addition, there are a number of asbestos products that can be removed by an ordinary contractor, provided he has a ‘simple actions’ certificate.
And finally, there are dangerous applications, such as the loose asbestos fibres, which were used, among other things, to insulate heating pipes: only authorized asbestos removers are allowed to tackle them. You can find out who they are at www.asbestinfo.be.”
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This article was written by our partner Livios.be. Livios.be is an expert site that focuses on construction and renovation.
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