For freeholders, RTMs & block managers
Communal Area Asbestos Surveys
The common parts of a residential block — staircases, landings, entrances, bin stores, plant rooms, drying rooms, service risers — are non-domestic under CAR 2012 and carry an active duty to manage. We survey blocks of every size, from a two-flat conversion up to Section 20 estates of 500+ units.
- Duty to Manage (Reg 4) compliant
- Suitable for Section 20 consultations
- Register per block + master for portfolio
- Discreet — leaseholder relations first
- Independent — no removal contracts
- Portfolio pricing for managing agents
- UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory partners
- Independent — no removal contracts
- BOHS P402 senior surveyors
- Digital reports (PDF + Excel register)
- Fast turnaround — quote inside 1 hour
- Nationwide UK coverage
What counts as a common area
Anywhere the freeholder or RTM retains under the lease. Typically: entrance halls, staircases and landings, external walkways and access decks, plant and boiler rooms, tank rooms, bin and cycle stores, drying rooms, communal WCs, undercrofts, roofs and roof voids, and service risers running between demises.
Staircase & entrance surveys
The single most common ACM find in blocks is textured coating on staircase soffits and Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) around lift-shaft doors and behind entrance-panel electrics. A block-scale survey identifies both and produces the labelled register that door-entry, fire-door and lift maintenance contractors will ask for.
Block management & Section 20 consultations
Where a survey is proposed as part of a wider works programme, it may need to go through Section 20. We can support the consultation with a written scope, price schedule and clear split between the survey element (typically not consulted) and any remediation package (typically consulted).
Combining common parts + demised flats
It's often cheaper to combine — one visit covers common parts and each demised flat, with individual reports per unit and a single register for the freeholder. Ideal at the point of a change of managing agent or at building insurance renewal.
How it works
A five-step process, no surprises.
1. Book
Send us the address and access notes. You'll get a fixed-price quote by email within one working hour.
2. Visit
We agree a date that works around tenants, staff or works programmes — evenings and weekends included.
3. Survey
A senior surveyor inspects every accessible area, records materials, takes samples where needed and photographs each location.
4. Report
You receive an HSG264-format PDF report with a register, risk assessments, a photo log and (where relevant) a floor-plan overlay — typically within 72 hours.
5. Ongoing advice
Your surveyor is your point of contact. We answer solicitor, contractor and enforcement queries on your report for free, for the life of the property.
Areas covered
Nationwide coverage, local surveyors.
We survey properties across England, Wales and Scotland through a regional rota of BOHS P402 senior surveyors. Same fixed-price approach whether the property is in Kent, Cumbria or Cardiff.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Who commissions the survey — freeholder or leaseholder?+
For common parts, it's the freeholder or their appointed managing agent / RTM. For the inside of a demised flat, it's the leaseholder. If you're the RTM and want both, we can bundle it.
Do we need to consult leaseholders under Section 20?+
For the survey itself, usually not — it's typically below the £250-per-leaseholder threshold. Any subsequent removal works may trigger consultation, and our register is written to support that.
How much for a block?+
Fixed price per block, based on number of flats, storeys and any plant. Portfolio rates apply for 5+ blocks booked concurrently.
Do you work with managing agents?+
Yes — we work with a number of ARMA and IRPM member firms. Portfolio programmes are our bread and butter.
Can you attend leaseholder meetings?+
Yes — attendance at AGM / Section 20 meetings is available on a fee basis and we can present findings in lay terms.
Do you cover cladding surveys too?+
Asbestos in the external wall system is included in the common parts survey where accessible. A dedicated EWS1 assessment is a separate discipline and outside our scope — we can refer you.
How is the register maintained?+
Free re-issue for the life of the block; annual re-inspection recommended and quoted at approximately 50% of the initial fee.
What about void flats and lettings agents?+
We coordinate access with the letting agent for tenanted flats and enter voids by prior arrangement. Non-access units are logged with a follow-up date.
Do you cover the whole UK?+
Yes. Managing agents with UK-wide portfolios book us on rolling programmes; see our UK-wide page.
Related services
Continue your research.
If communal areas isn't the right fit, our surveyors also cover Leasehold Flat Asbestos Surveys, Landlord & HMO Asbestos Surveys, Management Survey (Duty to Manage), Commercial Property Asbestos Surveys, Fixed-Price Asbestos Surveys and UK-Wide Asbestos Surveys. Every survey uses the same HSG264 methodology, UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory partners and BOHS P402 senior surveyors.
Ready when you are
Book a Block Survey.
Fixed-price quote within one working hour. Senior surveyor on site within the working week. Report inside 72 hours of the visit.