Indemnity insurance for double glazing

missjy

If u were purchasing a property with double glazing but the seller did not have receipt (probate sale) and they offered indemnity insurance would you accept it and what is it? Have googled it but am confused Thanks.

KateLiana27

All windows installed after 2002 must either be checked and approved by your council's building control department, or be installed by a FENSA-approved installer who can sign them off themselves.

Any other windows are contravening building control regulations and, in theory, the council could come and sue you as the homeowner for them. The chances of this happening is vanishingly unlikely, but technically possible. An indemnity policy protects you from this. What it does NOT do is provide any sort of guarantee or insurance for the existing windows, or do anything else vaguely useful.

If the sellers are offering to buy you an indemnity policy, I'd say yes please - no harm. I probably wouldn't actually ask them for it unless they were handing it to you on a plate though. (Also it's worth checking the FENSA website as your windows may in fact be registered - just stick your postcode and house number in).

Check the windows carefully yourself - they are probably absolutely fine, it's just the regulation culture that gets everywhere.

missjy

Thank you. My solicitor has asked them for it and they're ok to give it - sometimes if I ask my solicitor a question she looks at me very patronisingly as though I'm thick (eventhough I'm as educated as her!). Will give the FENSA website a look x

KateLiana27

Don't worry, that's just what solicitors do

For what it's worth, we also bought in a probate sale and have unregistered windows. Couldn't care less. They look great and work fine, and if the council come knocking I'll just make them a cup of tea.

flora48

What will indemnity insurance be offered for next I wonder.

chappers

lack of indemnity insurance... oh hang on!!!