Homes on a register of residential properties affected by loose-file asbestos insulation are uninhabitable, says the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales. 



REINSW President John Cunningham said that from 30 May 2016, NSW Fair Trading will compile a list of all residential properties on the loose-fill asbestos insulation register, and agents will be required to advise prospective tenants of the listing.

“We are of the view that if the dwelling is on the LFAI Register it should not be made available for rent and have voiced our concerns with NSW Fair Trading,” Cunningham said.

“If a premises is added to the LFAI Register during a tenancy, then the landlord must notify the tenant in writing within 14 days of the premises being listed,” he said.


“REINSW considers this to be insufficient as it fails to accurately reflect what happens to the lease in the event the premises are listed on the LFAI Register during a tenancy,” said Cunningham.

“REINSW is concerned that unsophisticated tenants and other people in low socio-economic circumstances who may agree to lease premises listed on the LFAI Register will be adversely impacted if they receive a discounted rent,” he said.

“REINSW believes that the Government should be preventing those situations, not encouraging them,” Cunningham concluded.