Indemnity insurance for new boiler/windows with no building regs?

locationx3

TheJP said:

New boiler doesn't need building regs. Its best to have a gas safe certification however. Again new windows that are replacing a window that was already there doesn't need building regs but a FENSA certificate is beneficial.

Both jobs legally need either building regs or certification via one of the competent person schemes (FENSA etc) who then inform building control for you.

See https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/boilers-and-heating/building-regulations/ and https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/building-regulations/

An indemnity policy keeps the transaction moving, but doesn’t answer the question of whether the installations were done correctly.

TheJP

locationx3 said:

TheJP said:

New boiler doesn't need building regs. Its best to have a gas safe certification however. Again new windows that are replacing a window that was already there doesn't need building regs but a FENSA certificate is beneficial.

Both jobs legally need either building regs or certification via one of the competent person schemes (FENSA etc) who then inform building control for you.

See https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/boilers-and-heating/building-regulations/ and https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/building-regulations/

An indemnity policy keeps the transaction moving, but doesn’t answer the question of whether the installations were done correctly.

Did you miss the bits were i referenced having gas safe cert and FENSA? 

user1977

Bendy_House said:

I would confirm with your conveyancer WHAT this indemnity policy covers.

IF it would FULLY cover the cost of making good any part of either installation that's found lacking - and worst case could theoretically be that they are removed and refitted - then I 'guess' you are pretty well covered.

On that basis - if the idea is to save time - them I think I'd be 'happy' to proceed, and apply for BC checks as soon as the house is bought.

BuT, get in writing that the policy WILL allow you to do this - for YOU to actually ask BC to come out and assess the work, and sign it off. 

No, it won't cover that, so there's no point asking.

FreeBear

TheJP said:

locationx3 said:

TheJP said:

New boiler doesn't need building regs. Its best to have a gas safe certification however. Again new windows that are replacing a window that was already there doesn't need building regs but a FENSA certificate is beneficial.

Both jobs legally need either building regs or certification via one of the competent person schemes (FENSA etc) who then inform building control for you.

See https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/boilers-and-heating/building-regulations/ and https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/building-regulations/

An indemnity policy keeps the transaction moving, but doesn’t answer the question of whether the installations were done correctly.

Did you miss the bits were i referenced having gas safe cert and FENSA? 

We did, but you did explicitly state one does not "need building regs" for a boiler or window installation. Whilst it is not essential to have Building Control sign off on the work, boilers and windows do need to comply with Building Regulations and both are notifiable works.

Having a FENSA/CERTASS (for windows/doors) or Gas Safe (for boilers) certificate confirms that the work is compliant, LA notified, and signed off by the installer so that the home owner does not have to call in Building Control to inspect the work.

Section62

FreeBear said:

TheJP said:

locationx3 said:

TheJP said:

New boiler doesn't need building regs. Its best to have a gas safe certification however. Again new windows that are replacing a window that was already there doesn't need building regs but a FENSA certificate is beneficial.

Both jobs legally need either building regs or certification via one of the competent person schemes (FENSA etc) who then inform building control for you.

See https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/boilers-and-heating/building-regulations/ and https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/building-regulations/

An indemnity policy keeps the transaction moving, but doesn’t answer the question of whether the installations were done correctly.

Did you miss the bits were i referenced having gas safe cert and FENSA? 

We did, but you did explicitly state one does not "need building regs" for a boiler or window installation. Whilst it is not essential to have Building Control sign off on the work, boilers and windows do need to comply with Building Regulations and both are notifiable works.

Having a FENSA/CERTASS (for windows/doors) or Gas Safe (for boilers) certificate confirms that the work is compliant, LA notified, and signed off by the installer so that the home owner does not have to call in Building Control to inspect the work.

And an absence of information held by LABC for the work would imply something went wrong in the process...

..hence my question at the start of the thread.

FTB565

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. I can see there is a FENSA certificate for the Windows so I will ask for that to be ordered by seller. However can't see anything on GasSafe which is more concerning really. Don't think it would have been DIY, but will speak to solicitors to find out more as it doesn't appear to have been registered which is definitely a concern.

For me it's the issue with it amounting to a title defect which concerns me most. What will it mean for the mortgage, insurance, and what will this mean when we come to sell it on, as everything I'm reading says a title defect makes properties unmarketable. 

TheJP

FreeBear said:

TheJP said:

locationx3 said:

TheJP said:

New boiler doesn't need building regs. Its best to have a gas safe certification however. Again new windows that are replacing a window that was already there doesn't need building regs but a FENSA certificate is beneficial.

Both jobs legally need either building regs or certification via one of the competent person schemes (FENSA etc) who then inform building control for you.

See https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/boilers-and-heating/building-regulations/ and https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/building-regulations/

An indemnity policy keeps the transaction moving, but doesn’t answer the question of whether the installations were done correctly.

Did you miss the bits were i referenced having gas safe cert and FENSA? 

We did, but you did explicitly state one does not "need building regs" for a boiler or window installation. Whilst it is not essential to have Building Control sign off on the work, boilers and windows do need to comply with Building Regulations and both are notifiable works.

Having a FENSA/CERTASS (for windows/doors) or Gas Safe (for boilers) certificate confirms that the work is compliant, LA notified, and signed off by the installer so that the home owner does not have to call in Building Control to inspect the work.

Yes and that's my point, i believe the OP is an FTB and we know things like this can be pretty scary if you think the LA has to sign them off which is why I've said ensure there is FENSA and gas safe certs. There is also the fact that it is highly unlikely that the LA is going to a) inspect the windows or boiler b) enforce anything if the relevant paperwork hasn't been completed.

A gas safe registered engineer can come out and check over the installation and clear it, OP it looks like the windows have the relevant sign off, i would ask the seller to have an engineer come out and certify the boiler.

user1977

FTB565 said:

For me it's the issue with it amounting to a title defect which concerns me most. What will it mean for the mortgage, insurance, and what will this mean when we come to sell it on, as everything I'm reading says a title defect makes properties unmarketable. 

Who's told you it's a "title defect"? It isn't. Title is about ownership of the land and conditions in the deeds. This is about building regulations. It's not relevant to your buildings insurance. The property is not "unmarketable" - there are several possible solutions to the issue, as discussed above.

macman

I would be extremely concerned if the boiler install is not GSR registered. If done by a GSR registered installer, there is no possible reason for no cert. It means a) the installer may not be competent, and is working illegally, b) the install may not be safe, and c) the boiler warranty (which can be up to ten years) will automatically be void.
No sane RGI is going to retrospectively certify someone else's work, because at that point he assumes legal liability for any defects.

subjecttocontract

If there is no GSR registration it's a bit like buying a place without central heating and the price should reflect that. No indemnity policy is going to help when you sell the place on.