The period between commercial tenancies gives landlords and property managers an opportunity to review asbestos information while premises may be vacant and access is easier. This is particularly useful where the outgoing tenant has removed a fit-out, landlord works are planned or the incoming occupier will alter the unit.
Review what changed during the previous tenancy
Check whether partitions, ceilings, floors, services or other building elements were installed, removed or altered. Compare those changes with the asbestos register and previous survey information so the record reflects the current premises.
Check old limitations and no-access areas
Vacancy may make previously inaccessible areas easier to inspect. Review earlier reports for locked rooms, boxed services, ceiling voids or other exclusions. Our guide to asbestos survey no-access areas explains why limitations matter.
Are landlord works planned?
If repairs, strip-out, services upgrades or refurbishment will disturb building fabric, existing management information may not be sufficiently intrusive. The affected area may require a suitably scoped refurbishment and demolition survey before work begins.
Prepare useful information for the next tenant
For premises that remain in normal occupation, current asbestos management information helps dutyholders manage identified or presumed materials. Relevant information should also be available to anyone planning maintenance or alterations.
If the incoming tenant plans a fit-out
Make sure the project team understands what the existing asbestos information covers. Where the new fit-out will disturb materials outside that scope, additional project-specific investigation may be needed. See our guide to asbestos checks before leasing commercial property.
Between-tenancies checklist
- Review the asbestos register and previous reports.
- Record relevant changes made during the outgoing tenancy.
- Revisit previous access limitations where useful.
- Define landlord works before commissioning intrusive surveys.
- Keep relevant asbestos information ready for the incoming occupier and contractors.
Need an asbestos survey between commercial tenancies?
Provide the London property location, unit type, current condition and any works planned before re-letting.