FENSA Certificates / indemnity insurance for double glazing

[2tired2bewitty]

Does anybody know anything about FENSA certificates for double glazing, or indemnity policies if you don't have them?

We are in the process of selling our house. Got a letter from our buyers solicitors asking for FENSA certificate for the windows and doors, which I don't have.

I have checked the FENSA website and they have no record of the work done on our house, I think this is because the door doesn't need one (less than 50% glass) and the windows are too old.

Does anybody know anything about indemnity policies for windows, which the buyers solicitors are now insisting I obtain?

I think FENSA has been around for about 10 years or so. Not all fitters are registered, so new windows should either have FENSA certificates or paperwork signed off by the council's buildings regs inspectors.

If your windows are older, you have 2 options. You can supply the original receipts and paperwork from the installation, thereby proving that the windows pre-date FENSA certification. Alternatively your solicitor should be able to arrange indemnity insurance.

Indemnity insurance seems to be pointless paperwork that covers very little, but exists to keep solicitors in work.

Thanks!

The door is about 5 years old, but I think doesn't need a certificate as apparently porches aren't included. Goodness knows when the windows were fitted - we've been here nearly 7 years and I don't think our predecessors fitted them either. Looks like a make work exercise for the solicitors then!

My current property came with an indemnity, written in flowery language, but basically covers anything that shouldn't be there (a wall removed, window without FENSA and a possible extension). It cost the vendors £135.

if the windows were done before 2002 (I think that's the date) they don't need a FENSA cert. Bat that back via your solicitor.

Sold a house with windows older than that and no FENSA, no problem.

Thanks both, our solicitor has found a policy for not much money that should keep everyone happy!

I might add that if the windows/doors were done as part of an extension that requried planning permission, then the windows would have been inpected/passed by the buildings control people so no Fensa cert is required. Fensa is just self-certification by installers/suppliers so that building control doesn't need to get involved.