Asbestos awareness snapshot
Real estate agents/private landlords

Around a quarter of real estate agents and private landlords surveyed have received asbestosrelated queries from clients or tenants over past three years

Only 1 in 5 have received any formal asbestos training

More than a third of real estate agents/private landlords describe themselves as only
“moderately informed” or below in relation to asbestos and its related dangers
Real estate agents and private landlords are facing asbestos-related queries from clients or tenants —
and there is a desire among many to build their practical knowledge of asbestos and its associated
dangers via additional formal training — according to a recent survey of 122 real estate agents and
private landlords commissioned by Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency and undertaken by
independent market research firm Colmar Brunton.
While many real estate agents and private landlords feel informed on asbestos, a
significant minority feel less informed
The survey showed that some 63% of real estate agents/private landlords felt either ‘very informed’
(17%) or ‘informed’ (46%) in relation to asbestos and its related dangers. A further 25% felt they were
only ‘moderately informed’, while 12% said they were either ‘poorly informed’ (10%) or ‘not informed at
all’ (2%). A subsequent question showed that 85% of real estate agents/private landlords surveyed said
it was important for them to know about asbestos and its related dangers.
On a scale of 1-5, where 1 is not informed at all and 5 is very informed, how informed do you feel about asbestos and its related
dangers? SR, 1 - 5 SCALE, INCLUDE DON’T KNOW OPTION
Base: All respondents
This group report receiving asbestos-related queries from clients and/or tenants
The survey results showed that a quarter of real estate agents/private landlords had received asbestosrelated queries from their clients or tenants over the past three years. Of those receiving queries, most
felt they were either ‘very well placed’ (19%) or ‘well placed’ (42%) to answer these. However, some
39% reported feeling either only ‘moderately well placed’ (23%) or below, suggesting there is scope for
this key influencing segment to be further supported in their ability to respond to such queries into the
future.
Risks of exposure to asbestos generally well accepted by this group
The survey showed the majority of real estate agents & private landlords are well aware of the risks
associated with exposure to asbestos. Some 82% of this group agreed with the statement that “even a
small exposure to asbestos can be very dangerous” (54% strongly agree, 28% agree). Of some concern
was the 7% that disagreed with this statement.
Only one in five real estate agents/private landlords report receiving any formal asbestos
training
Of the real estate agents/private landlords surveyed, just 19% reported having received any formal
asbestos training. Of those that had received such formal training (most commonly delivered through
either their own company or through a peak body in the sector), the vast majority reported such
training as being useful (91%).
When asked if they feel they needed further training in relation to asbestos and how it needs to be
managed in any building, renovation or demolition work, 50% of this group said yes. Together, these
findings suggest that additional training on asbestos to those operating in this sector would be well
received by many in real estate agent or private landlord roles.
Duty of care to clients/tenants acknowledged, but practical challenges remain
The survey showed that 84% of this group agreed that they have a duty of care to advise tenants where
asbestos is present (just 3% disagreed). However, there seems a critical gap in practical knowledge
underpinning this for many, with significant proportions of this audience disagreeing with the following
statements:

‘I know what to do if asbestos is identified in a property’ (17% disagree)

‘I know how tenants can protect themselves from exposure to asbestos’ (21% disagree)

‘I have enough information about asbestos to advise clients or tenants where necessary’ (25%
disagree).
Asbestos information sources and preferred channels among real estate agents/private
landlords
Real estate agents/private landlords most commonly identified a “google search” as the way they would
most likely seek out information in relation to asbestos (80%).
Some 20% of real estate agents/private landlords said they had a current need for specific information
about asbestos and how it needs to be managed, including:

General information/guidelines

Symptoms of associated health problems

How to identify asbestos/materials containing asbestos; and

How to undertake appropriate risk assessment.
About ASEA
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency was established on 1 July 2013 to provide a national focus
on asbestos issues, which go beyond workplace safety to encompass environmental and public health.
The independent agency will ensure asbestos issues receive the attention and focus needed to drive
change across all levels of government.
About the survey
Findings reported in this document are from a national online survey of 122 real estate agents and/or
private landlords, conducted by Colmar Brunton in May 2014.
ASEA will consider these findings and develop targeted strategies to increase awareness of the dangers
of asbestos.