Windows - nothing on the FENSA site

Flugelhorn

Am just in the process of selling a property under probate.

There are fairly recent replacement double glazed windows (less than 10 years I think ) in the property.

Haven't found any FENSA certs I've been onto the website and there is nothing registered for the property.

Currently hunting through the paperwork to see if I can find any receipts etc but no luck so far.

Anyone know what happens if they aren't FENSA registered ?

eddddy

If there's no FENSA cerificate (or building control sign off) a buyer's mortgage lender might want indemnity insurance.

Also, the buyer might want a surveyor to inspect them to see if they've been installed well.

Some people might worry that if there's no FENSA certificate, there's an increased risk that they were installed by 'cowboys' and might give problems in the future.

silvercar

You may find that the windows were installed as part of other works and all signed off by building control.

Flugelhorn

I don't think there were any other works being done at the time, will check regs just in case though

the purchase is cash so no mortgage survey but maybe they will have their own survey.

They appear to be OK - am going to try to track down who fitted them (pile of paper here) .. very slight concern that they may not fess up that they haven't done what they should have done and didn't bother as the owner was elderly

PS what is indemnity insurance likely to cost?

Owain_Moneysaver

Nothing will happen as there is no building control enforcement action after a year unless the property is actually dangerous.

Indemnity insurance is a couple of hundred quid but I would suggest if the buyer wants it the buyer pays for it then they can choose the type and level of cover they want.

Flugelhorn

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Nothing will happen as there is no building control enforcement action after a year unless the property is actually dangerous.

Sorry to be dippy - what does that mean? that there is only a year after the work was done for building control to do anything about it??

Thanks re the insurance.

First time (and hopefully only) time I have sold property under probate, realising I can't know everything about who did what and when

PS checked the building regs - nothing recorded there

D_M_E

FENSA are not the only ones who do window certification, there is a second scheme which some installers use.

Try http://www.certass.co.uk

Flugelhorn

Have found 2 handwritten receipts from 2008 and 2010 - same fitter, can't track him down and not coming up on the Certass site.

Found mobile phone number in mother's address book... bet it won't still be the same number

vic_sf49

I was missing one FENSA certificate when I was selling my house.

Indemnity cost £6, which was cheaper than downloading a replacement certificate, although I can't remember if the certificate even existed in the end.

So try not to stress over it.

Flugelhorn

Thanks - that sounds like a good deal!

It'll sort out, like other things. TBH just like mother, won't have seen the point of having a certificate so probably accepted a cheap rate for the job.

hazyjo

I would always expect the seller to pay for an indemnity policy, not the buyer. Suppose you may reach a stalemate, but that has always been the case when I've bought houses.