indemnity insurance - buildings with planning approval

[Loopielou]

My husband and I are currently in the process of selling our house. We had an extension done more than 6 years ago, with Planning Approval and Building Regulations and have recently received the Final Certificate. However, our buyer's solicitor is insisting on guarantees for the roof and windows
However, the windows were installed before FENSA Apr 2002 and we have no guarantee for the roof. Who do we go to to get an Indemnity Policy and will it cover specific areas.
Appreciate any help.

[bednobs]

personally i would call the buyers bluff and just say no. they have probably already paid a lot of money and you might get away with it

[Finance Guy]

I agree with bedknobs, 100%

Good luck

[Loopielou]

Thank you for your answers - we'll have to see what happens now.

[buildersmate]

As you clearly know, Building Regulations were modified in April02 such that any replacement windows fitted after this date EITHER required a Building Control application OR a FENSA-registered contractor was used for the replacement work. In the case of the latter, the FENSA contractor 'self-certifies' that the prodict confirms to minimum thermal standards.
Building Regulations are not retrospective, so there is no obligation for you to have a certificate, and anyway, the very fact that you have Building Control sign-off for the work done 'clears' that the work was done to the satisfaction of Building Control (on both the windows and the roof).
Suggest you inform the buyers of the Facts of Life on this. Being a solicitor he/she clearly has limited knowledge and has gone overboard.

[themas]

I fully agree with Buildersmate. However, if you feel in the end that you are forced to get indemnity insurance it should be cheap because the insurance co. will know there is no realistic possibility of a claim! Your solicitor should be able to give you info. on insurers who specialise in this type of insurance.