What a FENSA certificate is
A FENSA certificate confirms that replacement windows and doors installed after April 2002 meet building regulations, and you will need one when selling your property only if you’ve had the work done. It shows that the installation was carried out by a registered installer and that the work meets the required energy efficiency and safety standards.
Why it matters when selling
During a sale, buyers and their solicitors want to see that any improvements have been done correctly. A FENSA certificate is a simple way to provide that reassurance. If you cannot produce one, the buyer’s solicitor may request extra checks or ask for an indemnity policy. This is a straightforward fix although having the paperwork ready keeps the process smooth, especially in the fast-paced London market where buyers appreciate anything that removes friction. To see how this works in practice, we spoke with Natham Al Assmi, Managing Director at The Connectere. He works closely with Conveyan, Foxtons conveyancing panel, a group of independent third party conveyancers who look after our cases.
“This document does come up in conveyancing. Buyers want confidence that the work meets regulations, and the certificate provides that reassurance straight away. Having it early helps everyone move through the process without unnecessary delays.”
Natham Al Assmi
Managing Director, The Connectere
What to do if your certificate is missing
If your windows or doors were installed by a FENSA registered company, you can usually order a replacement certificate online for a small fee. This is a common request and rarely takes long. If the work was never registered, an indemnity policy is normally accepted by lenders and will satisfy most solicitors.
“Missing certificates are not unusual. The key is addressing it early so it does not become a sticking point. Conveyan provide a Sale Ready Pack that guides sellers through the documents your solicitor will require. Preparing these upfront makes the conveyancing journey smoother and prevents common delays later on.”
Natham Al Assmi
Managing Director, The Connectere
Get everything prepared before you go to market
Having the right documents ready at the start can make a real difference to the pace of your sale. Our panel of conveyancers, Conveyan, offer a Sale Ready Pack that helps freehold and leasehold sellers gather the key paperwork before the home is listed. It walks you through what you need, highlights anything missing and helps you arrange essential documents so your solicitor can issue the contract as soon as you accept an offer.
If you have any questions or think you might be missing paperwork, book a valuation with Foxtons and we'll help you plan your sale properly. You can also let Conveyan put you in touch with the best suited solicitor for your move.
If you want to learn more about the documents involved in selling a home, read our Documents Guide.
Source: At Foxtons, our insight comes from supporting thousands of property journeys every year across London and the Home Counties. For this article, we combined our hands on experience with guidance from specialists at Conveyan to give buyers clear, practical context at every stage. If you have a question on this article, email us to ask a Foxtons expert.
