Managing one commercial property is challenging enough.
Managing twenty, fifty or even several hundred properties presents an entirely different set of responsibilities—particularly when many of those buildings were constructed before the UK asbestos ban.
One of the biggest misconceptions we encounter is that asbestos management is simply about having an asbestos register on file.
In reality, effective asbestos management across a property portfolio is about having reliable information, keeping that information up to date and ensuring it is available whenever maintenance or refurbishment work is planned.
After more than 22 years working with organisations managing everything from individual buildings to large commercial estates, we’ve found that successful asbestos management is built on systems and planning rather than reacting to problems.
What Does the Law Say?
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 places duties on those responsible for managing non-domestic premises to identify and manage asbestos risks appropriately.
For property management companies, this often means ensuring that:
- Asbestos information exists.
- It remains accurate.
- It is reviewed when buildings change.
- Contractors have access to relevant information.
- Risks are appropriately managed.
While ownership and management responsibilities can vary depending on lease arrangements, having reliable asbestos information is fundamental to effective property management.
Why Property Management Companies Face Unique Challenges
Unlike owner-occupiers, property managers are often responsible for multiple clients, multiple contractors and multiple buildings simultaneously.
Every property may have:
- Different construction dates
- Different refurbishment histories
- Different asbestos records
- Different maintenance programmes
- Different legal responsibilities
The challenge is creating consistency across the portfolio.
What Good Portfolio Asbestos Management Looks Like
1. Accurate building information
Every decision starts with reliable information.
Historic surveys should be reviewed and updated where appropriate.
2. Consistent management processes
The best portfolios operate with clear procedures rather than individual site-by-site approaches.
Consistency reduces risk.
3. Planning before maintenance begins
Maintenance contractors should understand asbestos risks before arriving on site.
Planning prevents unnecessary disruption.
4. Integrating asbestos into asset management
Asbestos should not sit in isolation.
It should form part of wider maintenance, lifecycle planning and capital investment strategies.
5. Reviewing information regularly
Buildings evolve.
Management information should evolve too.
Common Mistakes We See
Assuming one survey lasts forever
Perhaps the most common misconception.
Buildings change, and asbestos information should be reviewed whenever significant works are planned.
Different systems across different buildings
Large portfolios sometimes develop inconsistent procedures between sites.
This increases the likelihood of errors.
Leaving surveys until contractors are appointed
Once programmes are agreed, unexpected asbestos discoveries become considerably more disruptive.
Treating asbestos purely as compliance
The best property managers use asbestos information to improve planning rather than simply meeting legal obligations.
What We’ve Learned in 22 Years
The organisations that manage asbestos most effectively are rarely the ones spending the most money.
They are the ones investing in good information and using that information intelligently.
Across large portfolios, planning saves significantly more time and cost than reacting to unexpected discoveries.
Good information becomes an operational asset.
The Core Surveys Perspective
At Core Surveys, we don’t simply undertake asbestos surveys.
We help property managers build confidence in the information they rely upon to make commercial decisions.
Because we provide asbestos surveys, sample analysis and air monitoring through our own experienced team, clients benefit from a coordinated service with consistent reporting and faster turnaround times.
We’ve supported everyone from independent landlords to national organisations managing complex multi-site portfolios.
Our philosophy is straightforward:
Reliable information across an entire portfolio reduces risk, improves planning and ultimately saves time and money.
If This Were Our Portfolio…
If we were responsible for managing a commercial property portfolio, we would:
- Maintain accurate asbestos information for every building.
- Review records before every refurbishment or intrusive maintenance project.
- Standardise asbestos management procedures across all sites.
- Ensure contractors receive relevant asbestos information before work begins.
- Use UKAS accredited organisations for surveys and analysis.
- Integrate asbestos planning into wider asset management strategies.
Our Recommendations
Based on our experience, we recommend that property management companies:
- Review asbestos information regularly.
- Commission surveys before refurbishment planning.
- Avoid relying on historic reports without review.
- Build consistent portfolio-wide procedures.
- Communicate asbestos information effectively.
- View asbestos management as part of long-term asset management rather than a standalone compliance exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every managed property require an asbestos survey?
Requirements depend on the building, its age and planned works. However, reliable asbestos information is essential for effective portfolio management.
Should asbestos information be reviewed after refurbishment?
Yes. Significant changes to a building may affect the relevance of existing asbestos information and management plans.
Can one approach work across a large portfolio?
Absolutely. Consistent procedures and reliable information help reduce risk and improve operational efficiency across multiple sites.
Can Core Surveys support multi-site property portfolios?
Yes. Core Surveys regularly supports commercial landlords, managing agents and national organisations with asbestos surveys, sample analysis and air monitoring across multiple locations.
Why Organisations Choose Core Surveys
- Over 22 years of asbestos industry experience
- UKAS accredited for asbestos surveys, sample analysis and air monitoring
- Surveys, testing and air monitoring delivered under one roof
- In-house laboratory facilities
- Dedicated project coordinators
- Offices in East Sussex and South Wales
- Nationwide capability
- Experience supporting commercial property portfolios, NHS organisations, universities, local authorities, national contractors and the Ministry of Defence
Our objective is not simply to identify asbestos—it is to provide the reliable information that allows property managers to make confident decisions across their entire portfolio.
Contact Core Surveys
If you’re responsible for managing commercial properties and would like expert advice on asbestos compliance across your portfolio, speak to the experienced team at Core Surveys. We’ll help you develop a practical strategy, recommend the appropriate surveys and provide coordinated support based on more than 22 years of real-world experience.