No FENSA cert for velux window

Homebuyer278

I installed a velux window to my bungalow about 5 months ago. I am selling and the buyers solicitor is asking for the FENSA cert. I don’t have one as I wasn’t aware one was needed. Can my buyer carry on with the purchase without the FENSA cert? I have googled and it looks like you have to it installed for 12 months for indemnity insurance is that right? 

Is my buyer likely to pull out?

TadleyBaggie

Surely only if a FENSA "certified" installer put it in, could you get a FENSA certificate?

youth_leader

Have you contacted the company that installed it to ask for a cert? 

youth_leader

Could you search on here?  Find and order your FENSA certificate

eddddy

In theory, you could say it's up to the buyer whether they pull out - they might not be bothered about the lack of a FENSA certificate.

BUT... if the buyer is buying with a mortgage, the buyer's solicitor also represents the mortgage lender, so the solicitor would report it to the lender. And the mortgage lender is likely to refuse to lend without a FENSA certificate or indemnity insurance.

Homebuyer278

The installer was a contractor and isn’t FENSA certified. Again I wasn’t aware I needed such a certificate. I have called the contractor and he said he’s never been asked for one before. I’m not sure, I’ve googled and it says I could get a retrospective cert from local authorities but it could be costly and timely. I was wondering if the buyers are legal able to proceed without the FENSA I’m not sure if they will just wondered if they could.
I literally found out it’s been requested tonight, and at the same time found out that one was needed 

housebuyer143

Homebuyer278 said:

The installer was a contractor and isn’t FENSA certified. Again I wasn’t aware I needed such a certificate. I have called the contractor and he said he’s never been asked for one before. I’m not sure, I’ve googled and it says I could get a retrospective cert from local authorities but it could be costly and timely. I was wondering if the buyers are legal able to proceed without the FENSA I’m not sure if they will just wondered if they could.
I literally found out it’s been requested tonight, and at the same time found out that one was needed 

I wouldn't worry. Most buyers will get an indemnity (as in make you get one) and carry on. It's not a big deal in the scheme of things. Many people change windows themselves and the glass and they won't have a fensa certificate.

FreeBear

Homebuyer278 said: I have googled and it looks like you have to it installed for 12 months for indemnity insurance is that right?

The rules on enforcement of building regulation breaches (and planning) changed recently. Councils now have up to ten years to issue enforcement notices. Quite how that will affect indemnity insurance and the premiums one has to pay is very much up in the air at the moment.

As the installation was only 5 months ago, applying for retrospective Building Regulation sign-off should be fairly straightforward. Building Control will want to see a certificate that came with the windows stating the thermal performance meets or exceeds current requirements. You did receive (and kept) that bit of paper didn't you....

michael1234

Where I live, the cheapest property is a 1 bed flat at around 200k. The average property being a house for about 700k plus.

Even in the worst case and you get a perfectly good window replaced by a fensa cowboy, how much is that going to be ? Not a lot in the scheme of things.

Seems to me this is a case of conveyancers attempting to prove their worth by perhaps blocking a perfectly good sale with their "advice".

Sapindus

I had a similar revelation - I've searched online and there are no FENSA certificates for my replacement windows (I'm selling my house).  So I've paid £70-ish for an indemnity policy.

Homebuyer278

I am more than willing to pay for an indemnity. am I able to get an indemnity as it’s on 5 months since it’s been installed?