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Insist on a FENSA certificate when replacing windows (Fensa)
From 6 April 2009, important changes were made to Home Information Packs (HIPs) to provide better information to prospective buyers from the first day a property is put on the market.
FENSA, the Government authorised Competent Persons scheme for replacement glazing, is urging homeowners to insert their FENSA homeowner certificates into HIPs.
With the credit crunch slowing down house sales, homeowners need all the help they can get with their house sale. When using a FENSA registered businesses to install replacement glazing, homeowners will receive a FENSA building regulations certificate which can be inserted into HIPs. When the time comes to selling a property, the purchaser's solicitors will ask for evidence that any replacement glazing installed since April 2002 complies with the Building Regulations. The FENSA building regulations certificate will act as documentary evidence to demonstrate compliance.
Graham Hinett, CEO, FENSA, commented, 'As the downturn in the economy bites, homeowners are under increasing pressure. If you are about to install new windows, rogue traders are aware of this pressure and will take advantage of homeowners looking to cut costs. Rogue traders will not be able to provide homeowners with a building regulations certificate, the installation work could be deemed illegal, which could delay a house sale, and there are retrospective costs for correcting shoddy, unsafe work. Hiring a FENSA registered business provides greater protection to consumers for all manner of issues; Homeowners will be provided with a FENSA certificate which can be used to demonstrate compliance with the Building Regulations and inserted into HIPs, and they will also be provided with written contracts, access to insurance backed guarantees and deposit indemnity insurance. The work of all FENSA registered businesses is inspected to ensure that standards are continually met and maintained.’
To date, FENSA has notified over 6 million installations to local authorities on behalf on its registered businesses, and sent out a FENSA building regulations certificate to over 6 million households countrywide. Further information on HIPs can be found at www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk. To locate your local FENSA installer from the 9000 plus countrywide or for further information on FENSA, please go to www.fensa.org.uk.
About FENSA
- FENSA stands for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme. It has been set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and other industry bodies as a Competent Persons Scheme for the installation of replacement windows and doors.
- FENSA is the widely trusted, Government-authorised scheme which enables companies that install replacement windows and doors to self certify compliance under the Building Regulations.
- FENSA Registered Businesses undertake over 90% of installations within England and Wales.
- FENSA has over 9000 Registered Businesses.
- FENSA has sent over 6 million homeowner certificates
- Over 24% of households in England and Wales have used a FENSA registered installer.
FENSA Registered Businesses need to meet certain eligibility criteria which include:- Making a commitment to comply with all laws statutory regulations and Building Regulations in force.
- Providing the consumer with a warranty or guarantee conforming to the requirements laid down by FENSA from time to time and covering the cost of completing rectification work in respect of defects
- "Offering" an independent insurance policy conforming to requirements laid down from time to time byFENSA to customers to cover their guarantee should they for whatever reason cease to trade. In addition where deposits are taken it is a compulsory requirement that indemnity insurance is put in place at the time that the deposit is taken from the consumer.
- Making a commitment to comply with statutory health and safety, and waste disposal, requirements.
- Maintaining adequate employer's liability and public liability insurance
For further information:
Insist on a FENSA certificate when replacing windows
Fensa
United Kingdom
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News Ref:1367
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