FURIOUS residents are horrified at the relaxed attitude a housing authority has after admitting there might be asbestos in their homes.

West Kent Housing Association distributed letters to its tenants in Conifer Way, Swanley, warning of asbestos in their homes and offering guidelines on safety after surveying a similar property.

But tenants say the guidelines are pointless because the housing association contravened them when it carried out work in their homes three years ago.

Private owners — who did not receive the letter — have already carried out work on their homes, including the removal of their porches and the brown floor tiles, which the letter says could contain asbestos.

Tenant Bryoni Moore, 32, said: “It’s too late to tell us now. People have ripped ceilings down, taken their porches down and drilled holes in their walls.” The mum-of-three said: “I’m worried about it because the effects of asbestos are not seen for years.

“The private owners wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t that I told them and they’re outraged because they have had lots of work done.” The letter says there could be asbestos in the kitchen sink pad, the brown floor tiles, part of the ceiling, roof and porch ceiling.

It says work involving these areas requires experts but specialists were not brought in when the association installed smoke alarms and a new heating system three years ago.

But the association’s surveying team leader John Broom says there is no need for alarm.

The survey shows up to two per cent of the listed items could be white asbestos, which is only a small amount and far less harmful than blue asbestos.

Mixed with harmless materials, the small amount should not be harmful, according to Mr Broom and readings will be done on the homes of concerned residents.

Private owners will have to finance this test themselves.

Anyone with concerns should call the freephone number 0800 521283.