The regulations not only covers all non-domestic premises but also also covers the common areas of domestic premises, including halls, stair wells, lift shafts and roof spaces. All those who have responsibility for the maintenance and/or repair of non-domestic premises have duties under this regulation.

The dutyholder may well be the landlord, tenant or a managing agent, depending on the circumstances of the case. In some situations, responsibility could be shared between two or more parties.

The regulation also includes a duty to cooperate, which applies widely. This will, for example, require a tenant to allow a landlord to gain access to a building to carry out a survey/remedial asbestos works. A building surveyor or architect who had plans which show information on the whereabouts of asbestos would be expected to make these available to the dutyholder at a reasonable cost.

If you are a dutyholder you must;

• find out whether your building contains asbestos,and what condition it is in
• assess the risk,eg if it is likely to release fibres
• make a plan to manage that risk.