To Fensa or not to Fensa?

lisa701

I agree with the Fensa scheme being flawed. My hubby worked for a rogue who was Fensa registered. Lets just say I'm surprised the guy never ended up on a consumer programme on tv for doing dodgy work - but all jobs came with a Fensa certificate!

thebaldwindowfitter

joinaman wrote: »

Any member of the public can fit their own windows --

Then scan/shop and print out a Fensa certificate to cover your windows

You just borrow a certificate from a friend or neighbor

Yes, I do know of people who have done this !

They may be able to alter a certificate but it wont correspond with what is held at the council or fensa/certass databases and when solicitors find out :eek: .Besides this is advocating fraud .

thebaldwindowfitter

lisa701 wrote: »

I agree with the Fensa scheme being flawed. My hubby worked for a rogue who was Fensa registered. Lets just say I'm surprised the guy never ended up on a consumer programme on tv for doing dodgy work - but all jobs came with a Fensa certificate!

All fensa are doing is checking the frames match building regs spec for glass frame and energy rating and that it is fixed properly .Not how it is finished off ie sealed or trimmed off or weather there are scratches in glass or frames

mrsmchapman

I have this problem at the moment, my father had windows fitted in the house that my husband owns. My father in law found the people and paid for the windows. 6 years on we are now in the selling process, and the solicitor has checked the Fensa site and we don't have a cert for the windows, my father in law has no idea who did the windows and can't seem to find any paperwork (helpful) I'd never heard of Fensa until a few days back. We have been told we will have to purchase an indemnity insurance, should the buyers wish to go ahead, which is fine with us, however I have no idea of the cost as yet.

I'm not sure how people could copy a cert, as I say our solicitor checked the Fensa site before he contacted us for any paperwork.

I'm just hoping the buyers accept an indemnity!

Does anyone know what the cost is of the insurance?

Gloomendoom

It depends on how much you are selling for but it is cheap (or it used to be) because it is rarely claimed on. I can't remember what I paid but it certainly didn't break me out in a cold sweat.

Ask your solicitor to get you a quote.

wallbash

mrsmchapman wrote: »

I have this problem at the moment, my father had windows fitted in the house that my husband owns. My father in law found the people and paid for the windows. 6 years on we are now in the selling process, and the solicitor has checked the Fensa site and we don't have a cert for the windows, my father in law has no idea who did the windows and can't seem to find any paperwork (helpful) I'd never heard of Fensa until a few days back. We have been told we will have to purchase an indemnity insurance, should the buyers wish to go ahead, which is fine with us, however I have no idea of the cost as yet.

I'm not sure how people could copy a cert, as I say our solicitor checked the Fensa site before he contacted us for any paperwork.

I'm just hoping the buyers accept an indemnity!

Does anyone know what the cost is of the insurance?

By pass the solicitor , its his job to ask for a certificate BUT the buyer could not care less. Tell the buyer you have not got a piece of worthless paper ....... buy the house or don't.

Have NEVER found a buyer who wants a house worry over a piece of paper. They might want to suggest a discount ( :rotfl:) but its an empty threat.

mrsmchapman

Well I've told them I have nothing, and now I just have to wait to see what they say.

martinsurrey

wallbash wrote: »

By pass the solicitor , its his job to ask for a certificate BUT the buyer could not care less. Tell the buyer you have not got a piece of worthless paper ....... buy the house or don't.

Have NEVER found a buyer who wants a house worry over a piece of paper. They might want to suggest a discount ( :rotfl:) but its an empty threat.

Either have I heard of a buyer who needed one.

BUT I have heard of many Mortgage companies requiring either a FENSA certificate, or indemnity insurance (not in 2006, but recently), and as most purchases involve a mortgage it is becoming a necessary evil.

The cynic in me would say that most mortgage lenders (the top level, so a bank) also have an insurance arm, and they all profit from the indemnity merry go round, but thats just cynical!

DHFrames

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

find that hard to believe because every company should have at least on pre and one post installation

If you're Fensa or Certass approved you'll know that only 1% of installations are checked annually..... That is Fact

That tells you the remaining 99% is not inspected yet still are certified.

I could fit a door with float glass in and still certify the job, or not include a trickle vent as per existing... if the house is then sold, although that door and window has been certified, wrongly certified, no questions are asked because a Fensa or Certass cert has been issued.... It's all wrong
All installations need to be checked and certified in the same way building regs is done. This way will rid the cowboys