Buyers queries

[soozm73]

We're in the middle of the selling / buying process and have a long list of extra queries from the buyers' solicitors. Not only is it really annoyingly late (we completed the property information form almost 6 weeks ago) but I can't provide some of the info.

For example the house was extended long before we moved in - searches show there was planning permission and they want copies of it (I don't have them). Another example is they want the guarantee for the replacement windows and doors - I just can't find this.

So should I just answer the enquiries saying I don't have the paperwork and leave it at that or should I desperately try to get hold of copies?

I'm mainly worried about the delay this could cause to our purchase.

For the window guarantees you can get them online from Fensa for about £10 as long as your address was registered when they were fitted. There's another guarantee scheme if yours isn't with Fensa.

As for the planning permission, I'd go back and say you don't have them, they pre-date your ownership and they can obtain copies from the local council. If the pp is so old that it is not online then they can pay the fee to obtain it from the archive - it really shouldn't be an issue.

If you answer the enquiries by saying you don't have paperwork, chances are the buyer's solicitor will come back asking for you to obtain duplicates (as wowfudge suggests). If you don't want further delays, it is best to get the duplicates rather than hope that the buyer's solicitors will not pursue it.

I think asking for pp prior to the OP's ownership is excessive though and I'd bat that one away.

Thanks everyone.. I will see what the solicitors say about it today. I'm struggling with the window guarantee, can't find it in Fensa and the company that fitted it aren't returning my calls or emails. :(

I know it's my fault for being disorganised with the paperwork but I didn't think we would move again!

If you can't get them then it's possible to pay a small amount for indemnity insurance that may satisfy the buyers. However if you can get copies that will be easier.

We had replacement windows put in as part of a loft conversion and didn't get or need FENSA certificates as the installation was covered by the Building Regs sign-off. Might that have been the case for you?

With the planning permission thing, I think sometimes they ask the question so you confirm it pre dates your ownership rather than because they expect you to have the paperwork.
How old are the windows? We bought our house without the Fensa paperwork because we knew we'd be ripping it all out anyway. The vendors offered us a bit of money off to exchange without them so that was fine.

There is a Fensa website where you can find out if a certificate was ever issued to you and if there was a certificate you can obtain a duplicate from them for a fee of around £12 - cheaper than indemnity insurance.

As wowfudge said, the pp for an extension many years ago is excessive so that wouldn't be a problem.

Don't ask the local council for an archive copy of anything, as it will invalidate any indemnity insurance if they want to go down this route. I would try and get the FENSA certificate but bat the other query back and it's up to them if they want to pursue it.

Surely the pp for something built more than four years ago is worthless anyway as you can't be asked to pull it down. I assume what they really want is the paperwork to show it complied with building regs?

We had this re pp when we bought and sold last house. In both cases it was a case of it predating owner and it was batted off.