Indemnity policy query

[christinarossetti]

Me again! Thanks for all your help on the 'lead pipes' thread.

Amongst our buyers' post survey list of questions was one pertaining to building regs for reinforcements when part of the roof was replaced and one asking for a FENSA certificate for the double glazing.

Both of these pieces of work were done well before we moved in and we have no info or paperwork about them, which I advised our solicitor of.

Solicitor e-mailed today offering that we buy an indemnity policy for £175 through them as 'a quick resolution for missing documents'.

I've e-mailed back asking her to clarify if our buyers or their solicitor have actually requested this, and what it's purpose is.

Obviously, if it will move the house sale on we'll happily pay it, but thought I'd open it out to the collective wisdom over the weekend .

T very much IA.

Silly thread to start on a Friday night, I know, but anyone got any thoughts?!?

That sounds like quite an expensive indemnity policy - I guess it depends on the size and value of the house to a degree, but worth asking for more info. If all the windows fail and part of the roof collapses, the buyer won't come after you as the insurance will cover it.

Were neither of those things queried when you bought the house? There might just be something from your purchase you could use instead of an indemnity.

Thanks. No, these things weren't queried - the survey simply said that the windows were 'dated' and there was no mention of the roof.

Our buyers had a full structural survey done rather than a Homebuyers, so I expect that threw up more possible issues.

The house is a 2 bed terrace, selling for £500,000 (London, obviously...)

Now the question has been asked, you will have the answer (as the solicitors will not give up), indemnity is often the quickest and cheapest solution

I'd shop around for the policy if you do need it- that sounds like a lot of money. You only need it if the purchasers insist though. I think if the windows were installed pre-2003 then FENSA etc wouldn't apply, the policy would therefore be pointless. Your right to query it!

Thanks. The windows were definitely installed pre-2003 - think at least 1990s, possibly even before.

Ditto roof. Actually no idea whether the work would have actually needed building regs.