Selling mums house and solicitor wanting certificates

DCFC79

Selling my mums house and solicitor is asking for certificates for windows that were installed in 2021 and a kitchen extension that was installed over 20 years ago. The firm who did the windows haven't got back to me but will chase it up at some point, the firm who did the kitchen is no more, if there were any certificates they have been shredded accidentally. Anyone tell me what if anything I need to do ?

Thankyou

DullGreyGuy

Tell your solicitor what you just posted

Robin9

The windows may be here    forms.fensa.org.uk/fensa-certificate



PS If Planning was required for the extension - search your local council

FreeBear

Robin9 said:

The windows may be here    forms.fensa.org.uk/fensa-certificate

CERTAS is another self certifying body - Not sure if they have a searchable database, but they can issue replacement documents.

The council may have some information on building works via their planning portal - Most (all ?) allow you to search based on address, so you don't need planning application numbers or dates. Not all portals will include records for replacement windows or extensions done under permitted development.

Another option is to pay a visit to the local council office and ask what records they have for planning & notifiable works (Building Regs certificates). Keep the inquiry vague rather than asking about specific items lest you scupper any prospect of indemnity insurance.

If none of the turn up any information, simply tell the solicitor "no certificates available" and let them guide you on alternatives (e.g. indemnity insurance).

DCFC79

Robin9 said:

The windows may be here    forms.fensa.org.uk/fensa-certificate



PS If Planning was required for the extension - search your local council

Thankyou for the reply.

 Have searched using that link and the installer my mum used doesnt show, I know who fitted the windows so Ive looked on the website and they have the FENSA logo, I have emailed asking them for a certificate but I have a feeling they arent FENSA registered. re the kitchen extension its just that so Im not sure if planning would be required hence why nothing on the planning portal.

DCFC79

FreeBear said:

Robin9 said:

The windows may be here    forms.fensa.org.uk/fensa-certificate

CERTAS is another self certifying body - Not sure if they have a searchable database, but they can issue replacement documents.

The council may have some information on building works via their planning portal - Most (all ?) allow you to search based on address, so you don't need planning application numbers or dates. Not all portals will include records for replacement windows or extensions done under permitted development.

Another option is to pay a visit to the local council office and ask what records they have for planning & notifiable works (Building Regs certificates). Keep the inquiry vague rather than asking about specific items lest you scupper any prospect of indemnity insurance.

If none of the turn up any information, simply tell the solicitor "no certificates available" and let them guide you on alternatives (e.g. indemnity insurance).

Thanks for the reply.

 Have looked on the planning portal for the local council and nothing has come up. The extension was done in the 80s/ early 90s, its a kicthen extension and just that so would planning be required ? So indemnity insurance is whats going to be required, no other avenue ?

Sapindus

I had no FENSA certificates for my windows and I ended up paying £79 for an indemnity policy to include that and the fact that there was no covenant consent for an extension dating from before I owned the house and which I didn't think would have needed consent anyway.  It didn't seem very much in the grand scheme of things.

DCFC79

Sapindus said:

I had no FENSA certificates for my windows and I ended up paying £79 for an indemnity policy to include that and the fact that there was no covenant consent for an extension dating from before I owned the house and which I didn't think would have needed consent anyway.  It didn't seem very much in the grand scheme of things.

Thankyou for the reply, thats put my mind at rest.

eddddy

DCFC79 said:

Robin9 said:

The windows may be here    forms.fensa.org.uk/fensa-certificate



PS If Planning was required for the extension - search your local council

Thankyou for the reply.

 Have searched using that link and the installer my mum used doesnt show, I know who fitted the windows...

Just in case there's some confusion - you don't search for the installer (or the installer's address), you search using your mum's address.

Then it will list any certificates it finds for your mum's address. It doesn't mention the installers name in the result.

If there are no certificates for your mum's address, it will say "We have found no records using your search criteria.".

user1977

DCFC79 said:

FreeBear said:

Robin9 said:

The windows may be here    forms.fensa.org.uk/fensa-certificate

CERTAS is another self certifying body - Not sure if they have a searchable database, but they can issue replacement documents.

The council may have some information on building works via their planning portal - Most (all ?) allow you to search based on address, so you don't need planning application numbers or dates. Not all portals will include records for replacement windows or extensions done under permitted development.

Another option is to pay a visit to the local council office and ask what records they have for planning & notifiable works (Building Regs certificates). Keep the inquiry vague rather than asking about specific items lest you scupper any prospect of indemnity insurance.

If none of the turn up any information, simply tell the solicitor "no certificates available" and let them guide you on alternatives (e.g. indemnity insurance).

Have looked on the planning portal for the local council and nothing has come up. The extension was done in the 80s/ early 90s, its a kicthen extension and just that so would planning be required ? So indemnity insurance is whats going to be required, no other avenue ?

It's 30+ years ago, nothing is required.

AskAsk

DCFC79 said:

Robin9 said:

The windows may be here    forms.fensa.org.uk/fensa-certificate



PS If Planning was required for the extension - search your local council

Thankyou for the reply.

 Have searched using that link and the installer my mum used doesnt show, I know who fitted the windows so Ive looked on the website and they have the FENSA logo, I have emailed asking them for a certificate but I have a feeling they arent FENSA registered. re the kitchen extension its just that so Im not sure if planning would be required hence why nothing on the planning portal.

look at the CERTAS site as well as they are the other organisation for windows.  if it doesn't appear on there either then your solicitor can buy an indemnity insurance if the buyer need this.

i helped my friend sell his flat in december and he didn't have the certificate as the installer at the time was not a member of either body, but has since become a CERTAS member.  nothing was required for the sale as the buyers solicitors didn't seem too concerned, but that may be because the landlord had applied for planning permission to replace all the windows currently so it will become a no issue.