Window certification

Dis86 · 22 Nov 2019 at 21:37

Bit of an annoying one. We had some windows replaced in the house two years ago. The installer was FENSA registered however never provided us with a certificate. I've tried to contact them to chase this recently as we're selling the house but unfortunately they've gone bust.
What can I do to get sign off on these and how long is it likely to take?

Usel · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:16

There is an insurance you can take out to cover the lack of certificate. It's called indemnity insurance.

Dis86 · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:18

Usel said:
There is an insurance you can take out to cover the lack of certificate. It's called indemnity insurance.

Aye I did wonder if that was an option but have heard some mortgage providers get a bit arsey with it?

Usel · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:24

You could also apply for a retrospective building regulation compliance certificate.

Dis86 · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:33

Usel said:
You could also apply for a retrospective building regulation compliance certificate.

Why am I looking at in terms of cost and timescale there?

thezappa · 23 Nov 2019 at 10:04

You will be able to call your planning office and ask them about costs, they will be able to give it over the phone but you’ll have to ask for building control when you get through. They can advise timescales as well but it wouldn’t take long I wouldn’t have thought, most BC inspections can be done same or next day.

Martynt74 · 23 Nov 2019 at 10:04

If they actually registered it with FENSA could try getting a copy from them?

for windows indemnity should be fine.

Dis86 · 23 Nov 2019 at 12:15

Marvt74 said:
If they actually registered it with FENSA could try getting a copy from them?

for windows indemnity should be fine.

Checked with fensa and they've never registered it. The gits.

divuk83 · 23 Nov 2019 at 15:24

We had a similar issue with a door we had fitted. The buyers solicitors were very keen to have the FENSA certificate. Indemnity Insurance would have cost £66 (back in 2015). We checked with FENSA who confirmed he did register it and then we contacted our installer who was able to provide the certificate. A lot of hassle really for something that didn't even register at the time as being important. Equally annoying was that technically it didn't need a certificate as it was probably about 48% glass! If you can't get the certificate just get the insurance, you don't want it to hold up the sale any longer than it has too.

Dave

jellybeard999 · 23 Nov 2019 at 17:15

I'm convinced FENSA is a racket!

I lost/never received a certificate for my previous house. The windows were registered with FENSA, but I didn't have the certificate for one replacement, but did for another.

I included a screenshot from the FENSA site for the missing certificate. The buyers solicitor pushed for a copy, however, my solicitor advised to hold fast and just say I didn't have the certificate. A copy certificate was something silly like £30, when it would have been identical to the one I already provided, but with a different number on it, as per the FENSA site. The buyers solictors kept asking whenever they got in touch about other matters, but eventually just gave up and agreed it was a non issue.

No rational person would pull out of a house purchase that is otherwise sound, which a survey also agrees is fine, because there isn't a bit of paper for a couple of the windows.

It might be a different issue if they weren't ever registered at all? Potential BC issues? You could try reporting them to FENSA?

Dis86 · 23 Nov 2019 at 18:50

They weren't ever registered. That's part of the problem. Looks like they just plain forgot.