Fensa Certificate

luckypotato

So, our seller doesn't have a fensa certificate for the french doors he's installed at the rear of the property leading out onto the back garden. I've asked advice from our solicitor but he's out of the office until Wednesday. I'm happy to purchase without it, but my legal head says this probably isn't a good idea should we sell up in the future. What are the alternatives (if there are any)? Thanks.

Slithery

Do you mean that the seller no longer has the certificate, or that one was never issued?

If the former then a replacement certificate can be had from the FENSA website.

spendinglikemad

you can check on he FENSA website and enter the postcode of the property and it will say if there is a valid FENSA certificate and you can purchase if needed - solicitors will do the same, without it you will need building regularisation or indemnity insurance

SLM

JoJo1978

Fensa is only one of the registration schemes, another is Certass, do they have that instead? They are only required to have one - or a building regulation completion certificate - if the installation was in 2002 or later.

Another route may be for the vendors to contact the installation company they used if they are still trading and request certificate copies/the registration number on file.

G_M

FENSA is not the only organisation that can issue such certificates. What about CERTASS?
Or, indeed, the Building regs certification may have been done by the local authority.

But if the doors were installed by a cowboy and/or under tthe radar, there are 3 potential risks

1) the LA enforces BRs and makes you remove /replace the doors
2) the doors might be of poor quality (or even dangerous eg if insufficient lintel above)
3) a future buyer migh query it (as you are doing) and/or decline to buy

Mutton_Geoff

A lot of builders aren't FENSA registered but many are perfectly capable of putting in windows. The window suppliers don't issue FENSA certs, so it would be under building control. Look up on the local planning portal for the house, you may see a building control notice there relating to the windows (and other work done).

bspm

We sold a house in May 2016 and we did not have FENSA certificates for a few of our windows/doors, all we did was pay for an indemnity policy that was passed on to the new buyers, approximate cost was less than £35.00, no big deal.

luckypotato

Thanks all.

As far as I'm aware, a fensa certificate was never issued so a replacement one is out of the question. I'll broach the idea of an indemnity policy. For some reason it was the estate agent who told us about the lack of fensa certificate rather than the solicitor, so we'll get back in touch with them tomorrow. We are more than happy to pay half towards the indemnity to speed up the sale. No chain so we are eager to get hold of the keys asap.

teneighty

G_M wrote: »

FENSA is not the only organisation that can issue such certificates. What about CERTASS?
Or, indeed, the Building regs certification may have been done by the local authority.

But if the doors were installed by a cowboy and/or under tthe radar, there are 3 potential risks

1) the LA enforces BRs and makes you remove /replace the doors
2) the doors might be of poor quality (or even dangerous eg if insufficient lintel above)
3) a future buyer migh query it (as you are doing) and/or decline to buy

Just to clarify a Fensa or any other certificate is quite limited and only covers the thermal insulation qualities of the door or window, correct type of glass, sometimes ventilation and fire egress requirements.

It would never cover a lintel or any kind of structural work.

Mickygg

Find out how long they have been installed for.
Ask for proof or receipts of doors, this will show you the type of door fitting and whether 'A' rating.
Tell them to pay for an indemnity policy.
Go round and inspect the doors yourself. Any draughts? Open and close ok? Appear straight? Look good condition?

If unsatisfactory Answers to above I'd be wary.

G_M

teneighty wrote: »

Just to clarify a Fensa or any other certificate is quite limited and only covers the thermal insulation qualities of the door or window, correct type of glass, sometimes ventilation and fire egress requirements.

It would never cover a lintel or any kind of structural work.

Then I've misunderstood. I thought the certficate replaced Building Reguations which, in the case of windows, covers more than what you list above.

Have done a quick search (inconclusive so far) and according to mtrada (see edit below):

Doors and windows fulfil a number of critical functions in buildings, including protection from fire, intruders and the elements, all whilst continuing to operate effectively and with minimal maintenance.

Therefore doors and windows often need to meet a wide range of performance criteria to satisfy regulations, specifications and end-users.

I certainly thought that an installer had to ensure that when removing a window, and replacing it, the structural integrity was not affected. eg if an existing wooden frame was providing support for the wall above, replacement with a upvc window could cause problems unless a new lintel was added.

Surely a FENSA (or other Competant Person Scheme) installer would have to check this before installing?

edit:
In the UK there are 6 different Competent Person Schemes for the replacement of windows and doors. These are:

• BM Trada (www.bmtrada.com)
• Certass (www.certass.co.uk)
• FENSA (www.fensa.co.uk)
• Network Veka (www.networkveka.co.uk)
• British Standards Institute (www.bsigroup.co.uk)
• Stroma (www.stroma.com)