Summer Moves and Asbestos Reports When Buying 1960s–80s Homes

Summer moves are busy, hot and often a bit stressful. When that new place is a 1960s to 1980s home, there is an extra thing to think about: asbestos. It is hidden in a lot of everyday materials from that era, and it can affect your plans, your budget and your peace of mind if you do not spot it early.

Here we talk through why these homes need extra asbestos attention, how an asbestos report fits with your RICS survey, and how to plan all this during the summer rush. We will also look at what to do if asbestos is found and answer some common questions at the end.

Key Takeaways for Summer Buyers

• Many 1960s to 1980s homes still contain asbestos, often where buyers do not expect it
• An asbestos report can sit alongside a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey to show risk and likely future costs
• Acting early in summer, when surveyors are in high demand, helps you avoid last minute panics and renegotiations

Summer Moves, Older Homes and Hidden Asbestos Risks

Across the UK, summer is peak moving season. Chains try to complete before the school term starts, and people like to decorate and sort repairs while the weather is drier and the days are longer.

Homes built or heavily refurbished between the 1960s and late 1980s are very popular with first-time buyers and growing families. They often have decent plots, big windows and practical room layouts. But they also sit right in the era when asbestos was widely used in housing.

You may find asbestos-containing materials in:

• Artex and other textured ceilings and walls
• Soffits and fascia boards at the roof edge
• Old floor tiles and the bitumen glue under them
• Boiler cupboards, airing cupboards and warm air heating systems
• Garage roofs, shed roofs and cement panels

On their own, these things may not look scary. They are just part of the house. That is why an asbestos report, sitting alongside your main survey, can be so useful. Getting this lined up early in the summer, before everyone’s diaries are full, can reduce worry and keep your move on track.

Why 1960s and 1980s Homes Need Extra Asbestos Attention

Asbestos use in UK homes grew in the mid to late 1900s. It was mixed into many common products because it was cheap and heat resistant. Over time, regulations started to phase it out, but that long window means properties from the 1960s to late 1980s are more likely to contain it somewhere.

Typical spots in these homes include:

• Textured coatings on ceilings and walls
• Cement sheets in garages, outbuildings and soffits
• Flue pipes serving old boilers or back boilers
• Warm air heating ducts and insulation boards
• Partition walls, fire doors, and boxing around pipes

Asbestos is not automatically dangerous if it is intact, sealed and left alone. The main risk comes when materials are damaged, drilled, cut or broken. Common triggers are DIY projects, rewiring, new downlights, new kitchens, bathroom refits or knocking walls through.

If you are already dreaming of a new open-plan kitchen by the end of summer, it makes sense to know what you are dealing with before you complete. An asbestos report can help you:

• Plan safe refurbishments
• Avoid surprise delays when contractors refuse to start work
• Build realistic timings around any asbestos removal or management needed

How an Asbestos Report Fits Into Your Summer Survey Plan

When you book a RICS Home Survey, your surveyor will visually inspect the property. They may flag areas where asbestos is likely, based on age and appearance, but they will usually not take samples or confirm it. That is where a separate asbestos survey or asbestos report comes in.

For buyers and homeowners, the main types are:

• Management-style asbestos survey, to identify asbestos in areas that are easily reached during normal use
• Refurbishment or demolition survey, which is more intrusive and is used before major works, like big extensions or full refits

An asbestos report is typically built from:

• A site visit by an asbestos specialist
• Careful sampling of suspected materials
• Laboratory testing of those samples
• A written report with locations, risk ratings and clear recommendations

When you combine a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey with an asbestos report during the summer, you get a fuller picture of the property. That can help you:

• Renegotiate the price if significant asbestos issues are found
• Ask the seller to sort specific items before completion
• Agree a plan where asbestos stays in place but is managed safely

This kind of clear information is especially helpful when chains are tight and everyone is trying to move before the weather turns.

Choosing the Right Surveyor for Asbestos and Other Risks

Because asbestos is a specialist area, you want people who know what they are doing. For your main property survey, you will usually look for an appropriately qualified and insured surveyor. For asbestos inspections, you would normally choose specialists who work to recognised standards and who use accredited labs for testing, often UKAS accredited.

When comparing surveyors, it helps to ask:

• Can you arrange both a RICS home survey and an asbestos report?
• What will the asbestos report include and exclude?
• Are lofts, garages and outbuildings covered?
• Are sample and lab fees included?
• How quickly can we get the results, and will you talk us through them?

Summer brings extra pressure. Surveyors’ diaries fill up, sellers go on holiday and chain dates can move fast. Using a comparison and booking platform that covers the whole UK can make it easier to find surveyors who can handle both the main survey and niche inspections like asbestos, damp and timber, wall tie checks and roof inspections in one joined-up plan.

Budgeting for Asbestos, Repairs and Refurbishment Plans

An older property can seem like a bargain until hidden issues show up. Asbestos findings can change how you see the true cost of that 1960s to 1980s home.

Your asbestos report, together with your RICS survey and any other specialist reports, can help you build a realistic three-to-five-year plan. You can set priorities like:

• Areas that might need asbestos removal or encapsulation
• Roofing, chimney or wall tie repairs
• Damp and timber treatment
• Future upgrades like new heating, windows or extensions

If asbestos is discovered, buyers commonly respond in one of three ways:

• Renegotiate the price to reflect the work needed
• Ask the seller to deal with specific asbestos items before exchange
• Proceed, but with a clear management plan and trusted contractors lined up

It is also worth saying that not every asbestos finding is a reason to walk away. Many homes across the UK still have low risk asbestos in place. With good advice and clear records, lots of buyers choose to live with these materials safely and plan any removal around future refurbishments instead of rushing it.

Common Questions About Asbestos Reports and Summer Moves

FAQ 1: Do I always need an asbestos report when buying a 1960s, 80s home?  

You will not always need one, but it is strongly recommended if the property looks largely original, if there are textured ceilings, old garages or warm air systems, or if you plan any refurbishments soon. Your RICS surveyor may also suggest an asbestos report if they spot likely materials.

FAQ 2: Will an asbestos report delay my summer completion?  

It does not have to. Asbestos inspections are usually fairly quick, and reports follow soon after, especially if you book early. In many cases, getting an asbestos report sooner actually avoids bigger delays later if issues are found once contractors are on site.

FAQ 3: Can I rely on the seller’s old asbestos report?  

An older report can be helpful, but you need to check how long ago it was done, which areas were inspected and whether any changes have been made to the property since. Many buyers prefer an updated or more detailed report so they know it reflects the home as it stands now.

FAQ 4: What happens if asbestos is found in the property?  

The report will explain what was found, where it is, the condition and the risk level. Sometimes the advice is to leave it in place and monitor it, sometimes to encapsulate it, and sometimes to arrange removal by specialist contractors. You can then decide whether to renegotiate, ask for works before completion or plan to deal with it after you move in.

FAQ 5: Is an asbestos report included in a standard RICS survey?  

No, a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey is a visual inspection only. The surveyor can highlight possible asbestos and suggest further checks, but they generally will not sample or test. To get clear answers, you normally need a separate asbestos survey or asbestos report, which can be booked alongside your main survey so everything fits smoothly into your summer move.

Get Started With Your Project Today

If you are planning works to your property, now is the time to arrange a clear, compliant asbestos report. At FindMySurveyor, we help you connect quickly with qualified surveyors so you can move ahead with confidence. Share a few details about your project and we will match you with suitable professionals in your area. If you have questions before getting started, simply contact us and we will talk you through the next steps.