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Window guarantees and insurance?

3 replies

siennamey · 22/02/2018 00:17

Hi! :) So, nearing completion on purchase of a flat. The flat is part of a much larger development comprising detached / semis / terraces as well. The windows in the property are the original windows that were installed when the block was built, which was ten years ago. The NHBC certificate has only just expired.

We've heard Fensa provide window guarantees but as these are the original installations, apparently the guarantees are part of the planning permissions that confirm that the windows comply with building regulations (so the council rather than Fensa would have certified the installations as compliant, and this would be as part of the whole development). Phoned the council and they confirmed that the developers should be able to provide paperwork for this.

The lease says that we are responsible for the windows. Still waiting to hear about a breakdown of what is actually covered in the block policy, and if the windows are or not (if not it would mean taking out insurance for the entire unit rather than just contents, which isn't what we were expecting).

Concerned that in the event that a claim on windows had to be made, insurance providers might ask for documentation confirming the window installations were compliant with building regulations?

Do we also need a certificate of completion on the development then, too?

Would not having this documentation in order make selling the property further down the line more difficult? There is nothing actually wrong with the windows right now, but they're already ten years old and they're only going to get older which means they'll start to ware at some point.

We're first time buyers so navigating this is a bit tricky. Are we being way too pernickety and worrying about nothing?

OP posts:
caroldecker · 22/02/2018 00:40

I am pretty certain that windows are covered in a building insurance policy and you do not need your own policy. You pay for the buildings insurance through the service charge, so there is no reason they are not covered.
All it means is that window repair/replacement (non-insurance claim) is paid for directly by the leaseholder, not centrally through the service charge as, for example, roof repairs would be.

siennamey · 22/02/2018 09:13

Ah yes - but would certificates from planning permissions that say they were installed correctly still be necessary in the event that a claim was made? As in, a certificate of completion from the planning permission? And wouldn't not having this make it more difficult to sell in a few years time?

OP posts:
caroldecker · 23/02/2018 00:43

siennamey I doubt it - I have a 1930' mansion flat with no evidence of correct installation but am happy about insurance.
If you are worried, then ask for a copy of the building insurance and ask the insurance company.

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