Buyers asking for a 3k reduction

[cared]

I’m selling my bungalow, and the buyers want a discount because there are no fensa certificates. My uncle, who’s a builder, replaced all the windows and doors 3 years ago. I offered to cover the cost of indemnity insurance to finalise the deal, but they declined and are now asking for a 3k reduction instead. The house has had a new boiler, rads, windows, front door, french doors at the back, new bathroom, flooring, guttering, a new driveway, and a few other minor updates. While it’s a small amount in the grand scheme of things, I feel like they’re already getting a good deal considering all the work I’ve put into the place, and honestly, I think they’re just taking the piss. AIBU to call their bluff?

I’m really surprised that so many people here think it’s rare, because I actually know quite a few people without fensa certificates. It’s already expensive to replace them all, and then you have to pay someone just to come in for 5 minutes to sign them off, right? lol

I'm an electrician, and I'd tell them no way - our "part P" certificates are a load of old tosh and I've seen many an EICR that is a work of fiction - FENSA certs, way more ridiculous.

You have quite reasonably offered to cover an insurance, but they want £3K cash, which will not replace the windows or get a certificate on them - so they are happy to take your technically non compliant windows.

I did all my windows, and no I'm not a registered installer, so guess what, no certificate - do I care, no, would I reduce the price of my house, no way!

Thank you! I honestly believe I've been more than reasonable. I know people say this all the time, but I really do think they're getting a great deal given the house's size and location, along with all the improvements I've made. As someone mentioned earlier, if the windows and doors are terrible, then 3 grand won't cover the repairs anyway, so where did they even get that number from?!

Its not rare at all, the vast majority of houses have no paperwork, I get monthly calls from people I did work for and issued Part P paperwork, who have lost it, or thrown it out and want duplicates.

I find it so weird myself that you're so worked up about this. Its a more intelligent knowledge tool than simply googling randomly.

Info from Google is also parroting. Sweet dreams honey!xox

Not certified does not equal done properly or vice versa - in my daily life I see lots of electrical work certified by allegedly competent engineers that makes my toes curl - equally I have seen some excellent work done by enthusiastic amateurs, and vice versa

Deffo trying their luck asking for a reduction imo..esp. 3k 😧

Everything electrical and plumbing was certified and how is using a relative ‘doing it on the cheap’? The relative is a builder ffs

It only covers you for legal fees if the local authority take action against you. It certainly doesn't cover remedial work.

Agree
its useless really

But not Fensa registered and tbh he should have known this

Agree with previous posters ftb are a PITA!

Understandable so it's a huge commitment, but yeah would def put house back on the market.

I would suggest that the market is getting better. I had 4 people bidding against each other last month on my house and I ended up getting £15k more than the asking!!!

But they do have approval and are requesting duplicates which is very different from not having approval at all

Agreed, and bungalows are often in demand by those downsizing / retiring, who are less demanding on the whole.

I already explained I wasn’t worked up about it, I was really only trying to help you look a bit less silly in this thread as you obviously haven’t the faintest clue what you’re talking about, as multiple posters have noticed.

This is an adult forum where people come looking for actual advice on things, your insistence on copying and pasting nonsense from ChatGPT is helping nobody. It’s clear to us all that you can’t read and understand posts here so for the OP’s sake I strongly suggest you don’t post on this thread again.

That's not what an indemnity policy covers. If it did, it would be valuable.

I would tell them to go and take a jump,they are chancers. You are in no rush as you have stated.

Stick to your guns!

Depending on the market arguing for a few grand off for a spurious reason sometimes works, but as you’re not desperate to sell, stand firm and threaten to withdraw from the sale.

I had similar some years ago and was so pissed off as she tried this just before contracts were due to be signed, I actually took it off the market for 4 months. Luckily, the market was very active and I sold the property later for 50k more to a buy to let landlord who was a cash buyer.

I took a £ £4000 less offer on mine five years ago and to be honest, there’s been many occasion over the last five years where I could’ve done with That four grand and I also wonder if I’d have got more.
I kind of hoped karma would pay it forward. It turns out there is no karma 🙄

Then I think they're more than reasonable. But you don't have to agree. They'll find another house eventually.

I sold 2 houses last year. Neither of them had Fensa certificates and it wasn't a problem with selling. I just ticked the box on the form that said no certificates and heard nothing more about it! I didn't need to buy indemnity insurance either.

And I'd let them do that - the time for asking for a reduction is when you put an offer in - after that is poor form.

And the £3K does not fix the perceived issue, so if cheeky fuckery

I would simply tell the EA to put it back on the market, you will have another buyer soon enough.

Exactly, unless a house has had an extension recently built, which requested a pile of paperwork, the majority simply don't have it - it was either never issued, thrown out etc. I've never known anyone be bothered.

I think you will find that if you refuse to reduce they will still buy your house. As you say it’s a pretty good deal. Have you looked to see what your competition is like? Good luck.

you have mentioned your willingness to purchase indemnity insurance, but bottom lines remains a FENSA certificate is required for most replacement windows or doors installed in England and Wales after 1 April 2002 to prove compliance with building regulations.
While not technically a legal document, it is essential for selling a property. If missing, a retrospective building regulation certificate or indemnity insurance is needed. The buyers want £3k as "compensation" for leaving themselves open to possible retrospective building regulation compliance inspection

As others have said, you cut corners, now it comes home to roost. Instead of indemnity, see how much it will cost you to get BR compliance. You might be surprised... scroll down for random google example of such cost
Domestic – Regularisation | Surrey Heath Building Control Consultancy

Bottom line however is the buyers are not being unreasonable in expecting you to recognise the impact of your shortcut.