Asbestos Dilemma...

[Smowball]

My brand new neighbour has left me the keys to his house whilst he is on holiday as he has arranged for several tradesmen to do work, including electrics, flooring etc and I’m to let them in and out and generally keep an eye.
Electrics are done, and today the new fireplace was due to be fitted. Theyve turned up and about an hour later they’ve knocked on my door and said they can’t continue as they’ve found asbestos. Then then said that I should cancel the flooring guy and tiler who are due tomorrow, but it’s not my place to do that! Do they really have to be cancelled? My neighbour is in Sri Lanka for two weeks and is expecting to come home to a completed house. I don’t know what to do.

[Flonska]

If you can't/won't call your neighbour then get the floorman/tiler's number and send a text to your neighbour's mobile asking him to call the floorman/tiler direct. That way you won't become embroiled in the situation.

[237SJ]

Sounds like he's taking the *** with all of those tradespeople turning up anyway. I`d just text and tell him to sort it out - it's not your problem. The most I would do is stick a note on the front door telling them not to bother due to a problem that the owner of the house will be in touch about in due course.

[mallyh]

Sparkllykid .my son in law died of mesothelioma(he was in his early 50's )after working on a building ONCE when he was in his 20's please don't tell people to go near the stuff .

[melv16]

If they haven't disturbed the asbestos there should be no problem. Tell the other tradesmen the situation and let them make their own minds up.
BTW, it's going to cost them a few quid to get it removed.

[jno]

good advice from Denton and jackthehat - you've very kindly taken on responsibility for letting people in and out, but not for being a project manager. He's got to rule on this. Call him or text him and let him decide - or tell him to call the contractors himself and sort it out.

[shaneystar2]

Just text him and tell him the situation.If the other people turn up don't let them in and tell them why.He's got a cheek expecting you to run about for him while he swans off.
Both my dad and eldest brother died from asbestos related disease caused in the workplace.Very dangerous stuff and it'll have to be removed by specialist people.
The workmen are quite within their rights to down tools because of their own health and safety.

[Smowball]

Ok I’ve just txt him. Let see what he says. I honestly thought asbestos was only found in really old buildings.

[AuntLydia]

smowball, unless he is paying you project management rates then your responsibility stops at opening the door for tradesmen. Text him explaining the problem then leave them to it. If any Tradesmen come knocking on your door just make it uite plain you are a 'door opener' and the buck stops there.

[Smowball]

The more I think about it the more I think he’s taking the p***. I’ve only known him for 4 weeks!! He’s not even moved in yet!

[jackthehat]

Oh, crikey.....LoL

I had assumed this was someone you had a neighbourly relationship with...
I think, given those circumstances, I'd wait to receive his answering text and then once you know he is receiving them tell him that you're not prepared to do anything more than you have already done and advise him to contact his tradespeople directly.

[hereIam]

I agree with FoxLee at 16:41. He's got a damn cheek that new neighbour of yours !

[Smowball]

Hubbys furious about it all tbh. Not the best start to having a new neighbour! Think he’s going to drive me mad. He’s good looking(and knows it I think) and just flashes his perfect teeth at everyone.

[Tuvok]

Dear Smowball

Since you're doing such a good job with allowing access to my house, I now deem you Project Manager, so if you could kindly arrange for an asbestos removal company that would be great.

Also as you are now Project Manager I expect you to deal with payment of all invoices personally and promptly.

As a gratuity for this, you can be first to tour the completed house and try my new hot tub - oops I forgot to ask you to source one, so please do so and arrange the plumbers etc. to install it. They'll probably want more money to do so, so if you could settle that bill as well.

Thank you, your neighbour

P A S Thebuck.

[Smowball]

Not far off it Tuvok! Maybe I’ll let his house out to a few illegal immigrants!

[murraymints]

noooo way would I have agreed to all that..feed the cat maybe..the rest..pay someone to be project manager..c'nest pas moi !!

[Smowball]

He’s replied and told me to just let the workmen in over the weekend. Erm.....

[horselady]

Your Answer...What happened Smowball, did the workmen go in and do the jobs?

[Samuraisan]

What's happening Smow ? I am waiting with baited breath............