What happens if the certificate finds asbestos?

What the certificate says

Until a regulation is approved, the certificate states at least three things (art. 21.3 of Law 8/2026):

• whether or not there is visible asbestos;
• the condition of the materials that contain it;
• the risk they may pose to people.

A fibre cement downpipe in good condition is not the same as a broken sheet on a terrace: condition and risk guide the next steps.

You can sell or rent

The law does not prohibit selling or renting a property with asbestos. The buyer or tenant receives the certificate and decides with that information.

In a sale, when it is registered, the Land Registry records the asbestos presence certificate and, where applicable, any grants received to remove it (seventh additional provision).

Your obligations as an owner

• Do not handle asbestos-containing materials except in authorised cases (art. 11.a).
• Inform the authorities of places with asbestos you know of (art. 11.b).
• Keep the property free of these materials and maintain it, taking the necessary measures to remove them (art. 11.d).

The law sets no removal date for private owners: deadlines will be set by the competent institutions (fourth additional provision).

If you decide to remove it

Hire a company registered in the Register of companies at risk from asbestos (RERA). It must draw up a work plan and submit it to the labour authority for approval before starting (arts. 11, 12 and 17 of Royal Decree 396/2006).

Catalan public administrations must offer grants for removal, prioritising people on low incomes and old or run-down neighbourhoods (art. 26).

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