Leaseholders in a block of council flats have raised a series of concerns after potentially lethal asbestos was discovered during refurbishment works.
Sutton Council started work at Grange Court, Wallington, at the beginning of July when they discovered asbestos in the ceilings of the communal walkways.
Leasholders stand in the communal walkways
Seven of the eighteen properties are owned by leaseholders who face the prospect of picking up the shared cost of £7,000 asbestos removal.
They argue that the initial survey, conducted before starting the refurbishment work, should have discovered the asbestos.
The group has written to Sutton Housing Partnership, the contractor and the Health and Safety Executive with their concerns.
These include a number of health and safety issues such as allowing a contractor to drill into the ceiling to remove old light fittings before the asbestos was discovered.
Jo Fallon, a leaseholder who has lived in the block for eight years with her husband and daughter, said: "If [Sutton Council] have put my health, my child’s health, their entire workforce and the public at risk they should be taken to court.
"When they started the works they realised there was asbestos - however that is negligent. Before they started work they should have done a survey.
"Considering they own the property they should know there is asbestos but they started refurbishing without checking.
"It is ridiculously dangerous. It can be fatal you cannot mess with asbestos at any stage."
A spokesperson for Sutton Housing Partnership said: "Following the discovery of asbestos on the soffits of walkways at Grange Court, Sutton Housing Partnership have carried out the necessary testing and have been working with the Health and Safety Executive to ensure all asbestos is removed safely and with minimum disruption to residents living in the block.
"The well being and safety of our residents is our priority and we will continue to monitor the situation and ensure residents are kept updated."
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