Tenant Afraid of Asbestos in Ceiling

[Christine Swaidan]

New tenant move in to a 1970's apartment which has the lovely popcorn ceilings. Two weeks after moving in she is freaking out and wanting to know if there is asbestos in the ceiling. I emailed that although that unit has never been tested to my knowledge that more than likely because of the age of the building it can be assumed to have asbestos in it. I also said that my belief is that as long as the ceiling was not disturbed it should be safe. 

I hear back that she is really shocked and disappointed that she was not told this prior to signing the lease. She wants to know if the ceiling was touched before she moved in. i just checked the records and while we did some paint, the ceiling was not painted. She wants to do her own test and is complaining she can't move because it took all of her money to get this apartment. 

She's month to month and I told her she just has to give us 30 days notice. Any suggestions on how to handle this woman?

[Linda Weygant]

Here in Colorado, you can get an asbestos test for something like $12 per swab/sample.  I'll find the name of the company if you need it.  However, knowing that asbestos exists isn't really going to do anything.  It's not illegal for it to exist.  All she has to do is try not to grind it up and snort it.

 However, it seems like it won't matter to her - she's now fixated on asbestos as dangerous and it's likely that there is no amount of logic or calm explanation that will work.

I'd let her know that she can give her 30 days notice and, providing there's no damage or cleaning when she leaves, she'll get her full deposit back.  This feels like a no win situation for you.