If the Building Permit (Permis de Construire) has been delivered prior to July, 1st, 1997, owners willing to sell their property have to get an Asbestos Diagnostic

Public buildings not designed for housing (offices, industrial building, stores).
Before modifications in existing building (house, apartment, building, store).
Before total or partial destruction of a building.

If no Asbestos Diagnostic is produced during a housing transaction, the seller can get sued