FENSA Certificate

[spaced]

I am just about to sign contracts and other docs on the sale of my house and the buyers solicitors are asking for a FENSA certificate for 2 small windows that were installed 2 yrs ago.

The person that installed these windows was a friend of a friend who was not part of FENSA. Also I was not aware of this new law applied in 2002. Is there anyway around it to stop the delay of the sale of my house?

Can I just say that the person who installed the windows has since moved abroad and the company has ceased to exist? Its pointless me given them his name as he will not be able to supply a certificate.

[Ethel]

Phone your council tomorrow, speak to the Building Control Department and ask their advice.

They may be happy to issue a Certificate after inspection. A fee will apply, of course.

[spaced]

just spoke to my solicitor - Indeminity insurance through them at �57 will cover it.

[gasman]

1st it is not law to only use FENSA registered installers as yet anyhow. Any one can and do fit windows the only problems are as you are now experiencing when it comes to selling you're home. More and more solicitors and home buyers are asking for certificates so they know that work has been carried out to regulations and standards and are not likely to inherit a problem. As Ethel quite rightly points out upon request the local council inspector will inspect any uncertified work and once satisfied work is to regs and standards, issue certificates . This goes for all types of building and plumbing works not just windows. If this home owner pack thing ever gets off the ground it will become a nightmare for seller's if they have not got certificates for every little job that has ever been carried out. (And another way to get us all to pay out even more of our hard earned money) just for the hell of it. grrrrrrr.... So much for trying to keep things to a budget and DIY ing !!! Stealth tax on DIY i call it ...

[buildersmate]

Summary
Windows. If you don't use a FENSA-registered contractor you must apply to Building Control for approval. This has applied since 2002.
Electrical work. Apart from very simple work wiring changes to certain rooms (not bathrooms or kitchens), if you don't use an approved electrician who can self-certify his work you must apply to Building Control for approval. This has applied since 2004.
Work on oil or gas systems has always required an approved contractor.
Structural work, changes to the waste pipework has always needed a BC application.
Those are the main ones that can catch DIY householders out.

[gasman]

And do not forget also plumbing and ventilation now requires certification aswell...as everthing mentioned previously.

[spaced]

i will remember this all for future. But for now my solicitor advises me that an Indeminity she is setting up will be fine.

[clever trev]

And to top it all the cheeky s**s want to charge more council
tax for improving our homes. RIP OFF BRITAIN