Possible loose & broken asbestos floor tiles-housing assocoation informed no action

[Spider2021]

Hello. We live in an old building built in the 50's 60's maitained by the Housimg Asoociation. When we moved in over 10 years ago. Two of the tooms.had flooring but the tiles were loose, some were missing and others were cracked. When we contacted the housing association that time they said itnis not their responsibility and just cover it with carpet. So we did that. Fast forward over a decade and some workers from the Housing Association came to look at the floor as we want to put floor tiles down instead of.carpet as our son has an allergy to dust. They took one look at the tiles and said they wont touch them (some are loose) and advised we contact the housing association to have the problem addressed. We did so and they promised someone will come as a priority. That was in September of this year. I contacted them again today and same response that someone will get back to us in 5 days.

I have a feeling that they are ignoring this as it is something they just don't want to deal with. What can be done about this? Is there some independent impartial agencies that deal woth this? What about legal methods?

[des8]

Landlords must comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Asbestos in a rental property may be considered a statutory nuisance under Environmental Protection Act 1990

Write (send first class mail with free certificate of posting from Post Office) referencing the above points and warn them that if they don't respond satisfactorily within 14 days of the date of your letter you will be making a complaint to your local authority(LA) Environmental Health Department.

If you have to write to the LA remind them they have a duty to investigate complaints of potential hazards (under the Housing Act 2004) or a statutory nuisance (under the Environmental Protection Act 1990).

If after all those letters still nothing happens you can complain to the Health and Safety Executive(HSE)
The HSE can investigate complaints about asbestos made by tenants.

[echat11]

Further to Des8 post, if nothing is done, then consider a complaint to the Housing Ombudsman (provided they are part of the Scheme), as pointed out this is an urgent 'Health and Safety issue.

https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/

[Spider2021]

Many thanks. I think that I can send them an email or state the above in a live chat and that would be jusy as good as a letter (if not better as letters get "lost" on occassion(

[echat11]

Many thanks. I think that I can send them an email or state the above in a live chat and that would be jusy as good as a letter (if not better as letters get "lost" on occassion(

Yes, that's fine, but ask them to send you a transcript of the online 'chat'.
That creates your paper trail, when ever you make contact, get a copy of what's been discussed.

[paul_process]

Old vinyl tiles from that era often contain asbestos, and once they’re cracked or loose the landlord should deal with them. If the housing association keep fobbing you off, raise a formal complaint in writing so it goes up the chain.

You can also speak to your local council’s environmental health team. They can inspect and push the HA to act if the flooring is unsafe. Going down that route is usually quicker than waiting for the HA to “get back to you” again.