Dear Mrs Sabrina Gohlisch,
Almost 5 years ago, you (Degewo Corporate Communications) wrote the following e-mail to a Berlin media representative:
Dear...
In the 1950s to 1980s, building materials containing asbestos were used in many buildings, including in houses that are part of degewo's portfolio. These included so-called Flor-Flex panels, which were used as wall and floor tiles. The decisive factor here is that there is no health risk if the building products with firmly bound asbestos fibres are undamaged. We therefore ask our tenants not to carry out any conversions or alterations themselves, but only in consultation with degewo. On 4 February 2012, the tenant concluded an agreement with us, in which we, quoted verbatim: "The laying of parquet flooring (floating, preferably unglued with click lock) including the installation of footfall sound insulation on existing flooring in the living room and bedroom". He was therefore not authorised the removal of the Flor-Flex panels. The tenant therefore removed the panels contrary to the express agreement. As already mentioned, the undamaged Flor-Flex panels do not pose a health risk to the tenants, as the asbestos fibres are firmly bound in them and are not released. In 2012, tenants were expressly informed that they should report damaged Flor-Flex panels to us so that we can then take the necessary measures. Since then, degewo has removed the panels containing harmful substances when a tenant moves out.
Around 17,000 flats at degewo are affected by asbestossuspicion. This number is constantly changing, for example as a result of refurbishment/modernisation but also due to acquisitions of existing properties. There are around 2,700 flats in the Brunnenviertel.
Yours sincerely
Sabrina Gohlischdegewo Corporate Communications
degewo
Potsdamer Str. 60
10785 Berlin
Clarification regarding Degewo corporate communications
Degewo gave me written authorisation to renovate an asbestos flat without pointing out the danger. Why did you ignore this fact in your e-mail?
"Don't drill holes in the wall, leave the floor alone, then you can live in there" (ex Degewo press spokesman Paul Lichtenthäler) is simply a lie. In addition to the written authorisation, there was also a verbal one. I was given verbal permission to glue down parquet flooring over the entire surface if I could find a new tenant to take over the flat. That wouldn't be a problem, as I would be upgrading the flat.
What's more, the existing floor covering was not Floorflex panels, but a laminate. You can't glue parquet to floating laminate flooring. But none of this changes the fact that Degewo gave me written authorisation to renovate an asbestos flat without pointing out the danger.
They also ignored the fact that the licence states that I have to dispose of the building rubble myself. I then disposed of the asbestos rubble myself, in my car. Because Degewo didn't warn me. And you know full well that there was no removal ban for asbestos in Berlin until mid-2012. But you skilfully ignore all of this in your email.
In "my" flat, there were brittle Floorflex panels right from the start. I have proven all of this sufficiently and what does Degewo do? Hire star lawyers, twist the facts, portray me as an opportunist and perpetrator (I would pull the asbestos exposure card).
Do you think I've been playing the asbestos exposure card for five years? Do you think I'm doing this for money? That doesn't mean I'm not entitled to compensation, a rent reduction, whatever you call it.
Do I benefit from asbestos fibres in my lungs?
You misjudged me right from the start. You (degewo) are playing with human lives here and shirking your responsibility.
They can't understand my situation, living with a dangerous amount of asbestos in my lungs that can cause harm at any time. Did Degewo have to authorise me to renovate this flat? In a block of flats built by Degewo? You don't mention that in your e-mail.
Why am I still writing to you? Because the issue has not yet been resolved. And you have been part of it. You have made false claims in your e-mail, consciously or unconsciously. And that should be cleared up, in the interests of the public.
Yours sincerely
The facts
"The tenant concluded an agreement with us on 4 February 2012 in which we, quoted verbatim: "The installation of parquet flooring (floating, preferably unglued with click fastener) including the installation of footfall sound insulation on existing flooring in the living room and bedroom". He was therefore not authorised to remove the Flor-Flex panels. The tenant therefore removed the panels contrary to the express agreement"
Translated, this means: We (degewo) knew about the Asbestos danger in the flat, but did not want to warn the tenant of the danger.
"The undamaged Floor Flex panels do not pose a health risk to tenants, as the asbestos fibres are firmly bound in them and are not released."
Floorflex panels were damaged in the flat from the start. See Asbestos renovation photos. There are practically no Degewo asbestos flats left without undamaged Floorflex panels. These panels are over 40 years old and brittle.
"In 2012, tenants were expressly informed that they should report damaged Flor-Flex panels to us so that we could then take the necessary measures. Since then, degewo has removed the panels containing harmful substances when a tenant moves out."
Manipulative communication. This sentence is intended to suggest that I was expressly informed about the asbestos-containing Floorflex panels. I took over the flat in February 2012 and received written authorisation from Degewo to renovate it. In mid-2012, a new removal ban for asbestos came into force in Berlin. Since then, Degewo (because it was legally obliged to do so) has not only removed the panels containing harmful substances when we move out, but also the adhesive. This was milled out by us at the beginning of February 2012 in the course of the renovation without any protective measures.