I am writing to reassure any tenants of West Kent Housing Association who may have been alarmed by your misleading article on asbestos in our properties (News Shopper, June 18).

West Kent’s policy in respect of asbestos is in line with Government and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommendations.

Asbestos was commonly used in buildings up until the 1980s and does not pose a risk to health if it is undamaged or is in a position where it cannot be easily disturbed.

HSE recommendations are to leave asbestos in position unless it presents a significant risk.

West Kent has undertaken a survey of properties to identify the position and condition of asbestos and to determine what can be done about it.

The risk assessed by an independent consultant for one of the properties in Conifer Way was very low — the lowest rating under the assessment methods prescribed by the executive.

We are responsible landlords who are committed to ensuring all our homes are safe.

To this end, we regularly inspect, treat and remove any unsafe items which have asbestos in them.

Our contractors take appropriate precautions to safeguard our tenants and employees when any repair work is being done.

Our tenants are aware they should not carry out any improvements to their homes without written permission from their landlord.

If their improvements are likely to increase the asbestos risk, they must comply with asbestos regulations and use specialist licensed contractors.

Owner-occupiers need to take precautions to establish what materials they are removing before doing so or use competent contractors.

Barbara Thorndick Chief executive West Kent Housing Association Editor’s reply: West Kent Housing Association was approached for comment and News Shopper reported its assurances the amount of asbestos and type of asbestos was unlikely to be harmful to the residents of Conifer Way.