Does it matter if there is no FENSA certificate?
Discussion
megaphone said:
If some double glazing has been installed to reasonable standard, does it matter that there is no FENSA certificate for the work? Will it throw up issues down the road when a property is sold? Or are they just a piece of worthless paper?
I suppose it depends on who's interested in buying the property and how keen they are to do the deal. Some people might be put off by a lack of paperwork, but I probably wouldn't. I'm not too keen on this highly officious regime that we now seem to have whereby every bloody thing has to be documented and signed off. As usual YMMV.Hmm, not for me to say if I've done this or if I'm making it up, but here's a story for you 
Put some new windows in a BTL we owned and when we came to sell it buyer's solicitors asked for the FENSA cert. Went back to see the company I bought the windows from, trade sales only outfit don't do fitting, and the chappie there gave me a blank cert for a tenner. Filled it in and sent it to the solicitors and never heard another word
Put some new windows in a BTL we owned and when we came to sell it buyer's solicitors asked for the FENSA cert. Went back to see the company I bought the windows from, trade sales only outfit don't do fitting, and the chappie there gave me a blank cert for a tenner. Filled it in and sent it to the solicitors and never heard another word
I wouldn't lose my dream home purchase for the sake of one. A window is only a plastic rectangle in a brick hole.
When or if I sell up, it will go like this:
'Do you want to buy my house?'
'Yes please. Oh by the way is there a FENSA certificate?'
'Fraid not. Now, do you want to buy my house or not?'
When or if I sell up, it will go like this:
'Do you want to buy my house?'
'Yes please. Oh by the way is there a FENSA certificate?'
'Fraid not. Now, do you want to buy my house or not?'
Property I bought in 2012 had no boiler and FENSA certificates. I paid around £20 for indemnity insurance which my solicitor recommended.
I wasn't too bothered as the hardwood double glazed windows had been made by the previous owner who was a joiner, and having worked for Brutish Gas for 35 years the boiler certification is just an unnecessary nonsense that doesn't really prove how good the installation is.
I wasn't too bothered as the hardwood double glazed windows had been made by the previous owner who was a joiner, and having worked for Brutish Gas for 35 years the boiler certification is just an unnecessary nonsense that doesn't really prove how good the installation is.
I sold my last house without a FENSA certificate. When filing in the paperwork from the solicitor I stayed that there hadn't been any new windows installed. I then told the buyer that I had indeed had windows installed but didn't have the paperwork. They couldn't care less and still bought my house. It wouldn't stop me buying a house either, FANSA isn't worth the paper its written on. Nowadays Certass registration seems more relevant as they actually guarantee the windows for 10 yrs should the suppliers go bust.
A FENSA certificate wasn't a guarantee, it's self-certification that the windows have been installed/constructed according to the building regs.
i.e. the walls won't collapse, ventilation for gas appliances hasn't been compromised, you can get out in even of fire, safety glass has been used where required etc. etc.
It stops the LA being overwhelmed with inspections. If you DIY and get your own LA approval, they are usually only interested in the use of correct glass units, I've had them never even turn up, just sign it off from a copy of the order form. It's just another tax.
i.e. the walls won't collapse, ventilation for gas appliances hasn't been compromised, you can get out in even of fire, safety glass has been used where required etc. etc.
It stops the LA being overwhelmed with inspections. If you DIY and get your own LA approval, they are usually only interested in the use of correct glass units, I've had them never even turn up, just sign it off from a copy of the order form. It's just another tax.
We bought a house and the solicitor asked for the FENSA certificate from the seller. They came up with an alternative, CERTASS (I think that's it, I can't be bothered to check lol) the solicitor was happy we moved in.
I looked at the certificate a few months later when I sorting out some paperwork and it was issued 4 years after the installation, only one month before the sale..... The solicitor 'missed' that bit.
Supposed to show the quality of the windows/glass, thermal efficiency and stuff.
I looked at the certificate a few months later when I sorting out some paperwork and it was issued 4 years after the installation, only one month before the sale..... The solicitor 'missed' that bit.
Supposed to show the quality of the windows/glass, thermal efficiency and stuff.
rongagin said:
We bought a house and the solicitor asked for the FENSA certificate from the seller. They came up with an alternative, CERTASS (I think that's it, I can't be bothered to check lol) the solicitor was happy we moved in.
I looked at the certificate a few months later when I sorting out some paperwork and it was issued 4 years after the installation, only one month before the sale..... The solicitor 'missed' that bit.
Supposed to show the quality of the windows/glass, thermal efficiency and stuff.
Certass offers the buyer protection if the supplier goes tits-up. FENSA just gives information about the installation. I looked at the certificate a few months later when I sorting out some paperwork and it was issued 4 years after the installation, only one month before the sale..... The solicitor 'missed' that bit.
Supposed to show the quality of the windows/glass, thermal efficiency and stuff.
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