Asbestos tile in basement.

[Dan Glagola]

I am renting out an inherited house that has asbestos tile in the basement. I originally was tole by a contractor that i could seal the tile will a high quality polyurethane. So as long as the tile is then undisturbed, there will be no trouble. we have not hidden the "offending floor" when showing the house. But the second tenant used the asbestos as the reason to say the house was "unlivable" and broke the lease. I let her out of the lease as long as she left quickly and paid for the time she lived there. 

I am rethinking my decision about keeping the tile in the basement. The PM wants to just cover it up with carpeting. I have not gotten any estimate for removal just yet. Is it ultimately better to pay the cost of proper removal or disclose the sealed asbestos?

[Ned Carey]

I would look into the laws in your state regarding asbestos.

Generally asbestos is not a problem unless it is disturbed. Removing asbestos may cause more problems then leaving it.

My first instinct would be to permanently cover it with new flooring High quality laminate flooring for example. I would not trust just carpet. 

Regarding the tenant leaving early I would think an air test would-be necessary to detect asbestos before breaking al ease on that basis. 

I Baltimore we don't worry about asbestos so much but lead paint is a real problem. You can "Permanently encapsulate" lead paid and be considered lead free. However paint does not count as permanently encapsulate. Laminating new drywall or wrapping wood with aluminum is considered permanent. Of course rules in your area may vary.