Who Can Check Whether There Is Asbestos in My House?
If your home was built or renovated anytime between the mid-1920s and the end of 1999, there is a high chance it contains asbestos. Used heavily in roof tiles, wall claddings, and insulation, asbestos poses the greatest danger to your family when it is disturbed—especially during home renovations.
But if you suspect your home has asbestos, who is actually allowed to check it, test it, and remove it?
Based on guidance from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and WorkSafe NZ, here is what you need to know about testing for asbestos safely, and how Tu Kaha Group can take the guesswork out of the process.
1. Professional Asbestos Testing Services (The Safest Option)
The easiest and safest way to find out if your home contains asbestos is to hire a professional testing service like Tu Kaha Group.
Professional asbestos surveyors know exactly where to look and how to extract samples without releasing deadly fibres into the air. By hiring the experts, you ensure:
The sampling is done cleanly and safely.
Your samples are accurately tested in an accredited laboratory.
The process strictly complies with WorkSafe rules and regulations.
If the tests come back positive, professional services can also manage the safe removal of the material, giving you complete peace of mind.
2. Your Building Contractor's Responsibilities
If you are already getting building work done, your contractor has a legal responsibility to identify and remove any asbestos before work begins.
They must check the specific areas of your home they will be working on. If they find asbestos, it must be removed before any demolition or building starts.
Important Note on Removal: If the area of asbestos to be removed is greater than 10 square metres, the law requires the removal to be done by a licensed asbestos removal business.
3. Can I Take My Own Samples?
You can legally remove material samples from your property (such as a piece of a wall or soil) and send them to an asbestos testing service yourself. This is an option some homeowners consider when doing their own DIY building work.
However, there is a strict catch: Before you take any samples, you must contact a health protection officer at Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand).
They will provide you with the necessary instructions to ensure you do not expose yourself—or your neighborhood—to toxic asbestos fibres during the sampling process. They can also advise you on your options if your sample returns a positive result.
Special Rules for Landlords
If you own a rental property, ignoring the asbestos risk is not an option. Under New Zealand law, landlords are legally responsible for being aware of and managing asbestos.
Before you get repairs or renovations done to a rental property, you must know if asbestos is present so you can manage any risks to your tenants and the contractors doing the work. Failing to do so can result in severe penalties under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Don't Take Risks with Asbestos
Renovating should be an exciting time, not a health hazard. Whether you are a homeowner getting ready for a DIY project, or a landlord preparing for property maintenance, knowing exactly what is in your walls is step one.
Leave it to the professionals. Contact Tu Kaha Group today for safe, WorkSafe-compliant asbestos testing and removal.
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Fast. Reliable. Culturally Grounded.
Tu Kaha Group delivers responsive, fully certified services in asbestos removal, deconstruction, and environmental remediation while leading in Hazardous and Asbestos Removal NZ. Our team combines rapid turnaround with unmatched attention to safety, compliance, and cultural care.
Contact us today for a prompt, professional response tailored to your site’s needs.
