fensa certificate how can we get over not having a one

pinkteapot

ManuelG said:

Does anybody particularly care about FENSA certificates for old windows?

Unfortunately, solicitors do. If the buyer is sensible they can tell their solicitor not to worry about it, but most will take their solicitor's advice to ask the seller to provide an indemnity policy. 

The policy will at least cost peanuts relative to the cost of selling the house, so getting one is the simplest solution. 

Slinky

J63320 said:

The daft thing about these certificates is that they just say how many windows were installed. There’s nothing to say which ones they are, so unless they are kept with the paperwork for the installation, what do they prove?

We've had several windows changed at different times and it's hard to keep up with which certificates apply to which windows. I did notice when some of our old ones were replaced that there was a date code printed on the aluminium strip between the two panes of glass.

Postik

pinkteapot said:

ManuelG said:

Does anybody particularly care about FENSA certificates for old windows?

Unfortunately, solicitors do. If the buyer is sensible they can tell their solicitor not to worry about it, but most will take their solicitor's advice to ask the seller to provide an indemnity policy. 

The policy will at least cost peanuts relative to the cost of selling the house, so getting one is the simplest solution. 

What does the indemnity policy cover? If the windows crumble into dust? Or if the council come around and say they are not up to standard?

user1977

Postik said:

pinkteapot said:

ManuelG said:

Does anybody particularly care about FENSA certificates for old windows?

Unfortunately, solicitors do. If the buyer is sensible they can tell their solicitor not to worry about it, but most will take their solicitor's advice to ask the seller to provide an indemnity policy. 

The policy will at least cost peanuts relative to the cost of selling the house, so getting one is the simplest solution. 

What does the indemnity policy cover? If the windows crumble into dust? Or if the council come around and say they are not up to standard?

The latter - they only come into play if the council takes enforcement action for them not meeting building regulations.

And it's mortgage lenders to blame rather than solicitors - the lenders instruct the solicitors either to see the consents or insure against the lack of them.

silvercar

We’ve replaced our windows gradually as funds allowed. The first one was replaced on its own as an urgent job. It was soon after we had moved and we didn’t have much cash and it was done as a cash job.  The fitter did a good job and we used him for all subsequent windows. Somewhere along the line a Fensa certificate was issued twice. Although at one point we had one less window certified than we had replaced, we now have two more windows certified than actually exist. 

Slinky

housebuyer143 said:

TheJP said:

housebuyer143 said:

calletosca365 said:

we have not got a certificate from when we got some windows and a new front door in 2013 we are in the process of selling the property ?do we need a one ? thanks if anyone can assist we will be greatful 

You can generally just get an indemnity policy when you come to sell.

What for? It was 10 years ago and im guessing the windows are fine. These policies are a waste of money.

Of course they are.. Won't stop the solicitor asking for it though. I had to get one on a 20 year old conservatory 🤷‍♂️

Even more daft considering Fensa don't cover conservatories.

theartfullodger

Sold 2 houses in last 3 years, selling another now.  All completely double glazed and doored, no fensa certificates.

Not an issue.

Sg28

Fensa certificates are a complete waste of time. No one cares other than solicitors who want to sell you a worthless indemnity policy. 

My current house was complete wreck when we bought it. Some of the windows were so badly fitted you could see clear daylight around the edges. On top of this the boiler was ancient and rarely worked. None of this mattered to us as the house was to be fully refurbished including windows doors, full re plumb, re wire etc.. so we told the solicitor we are not interested in hetas or fensa certificates and we dont need any indemnity policies as the whole lot will be ripped out within days of completion. 

Unfortunately according to the solicitor the mortgage company require them and wont complete without. What a total scam. 

junebaby

Our buyer’s solicitor is asking for FENSA certificates which we don’t have. 

They want us to take out indemnity insurance for the windows. 

Does anyone know how I can purchase this and a rough idea of costs?

Many thanks. 

user1977

junebaby said:

Our buyer’s solicitor is asking for FENSA certificates which we don’t have. 

They want us to take out indemnity insurance for the windows. 

Does anyone know how I can purchase this and a rough idea of costs?

Generally, you don’t buy indemnity insurance, the solicitors do. Or are you saying the solicitors have told you to go and try buying it yourself?