What is a FENSA Certificate and Why You Need It to Sell Your House

FENSA, which stands for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme, is a government-authorised scheme set up in 2002. It was established to ensure that replacement window and door installations in England and Wales comply with the relevant Building Regulations.

A FENSA certificate is official proof that your replacement windows and/or doors have been installed by a FENSA-approved installer who has certified that the work meets these stringent standards. It confirms that the installation is structurally sound, has been registered with the local council, and is energy-efficient, a key factor when you’re considering how to check a house is energy efficient before buying. This often goes hand-in-hand with the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

What Information Does a FENSA Certificate Contain?

A FENSA certificate is a relatively straightforward document that includes key details about the installation, such as:

• The address of the property where the installation took place.
• The name of the FENSA-approved installation company.
• A description of the work carried out (e.g., replacement of PVC-U windows and a composite front door).
• The date of the installation.
• A statement confirming that the installation complies with the relevant Building Regulations.

When is a FENSA Certificate Required?

A FENSA certificate is required for the replacement of external windows, doors, roof windows, and roof lights in existing properties. The scheme was introduced on 1st April 2002, so any installations carried out since this date should have a corresponding FENSA certificate or a certificate from another competent person scheme (such as CERTASS) or direct approval from Local Authority Building Control.

It’s important to note that FENSA certificates are not required for:

• New build properties (as the windows and doors are covered by the overall building control approval for the entire property).
• Extensions (again, covered by the building regulations for the extension).
• Conservatories with an unheated thermal break between the conservatory and the main house.
• Porches.
• Repairs to existing windows and doors.

For new builds and extensions, the paperwork your buyer will want instead is the building control completion certificate for the whole project. If you have had other work done, such as a loft conversion or a new boiler, gather those certificates at the same time.

FENSA vs CERTASS: Does It Have to Be FENSA?

No. FENSA is the best-known scheme, which is why “FENSA certificate” has become shorthand, but it is not the only one. Installers can register with other competent person schemes, such as CERTASS, and these issue their own Building Regulations compliance certificates. A certificate from any authorised scheme is just as valid for your sale.

If your installer used a different scheme, you will not find your windows on the FENSA database. Check your original paperwork or contact the installer to find out which scheme registered the work.

How Long is a FENSA Certificate Valid For?

A FENSA certificate is valid for the lifetime of the windows and doors it covers. It is tied to the property, not the owner. Therefore, when you sell your home, the FENSA certificate should be passed on to the new owners.

The certificate is not the same as a guarantee. Many installers also provide a product guarantee, often insurance backed, which lasts for a fixed period. Buyers’ solicitors frequently ask for both, so keep them together.

FENSA Certificate in Conveyancing

For our team at Gorvins Residential, the FENSA certificate is a key document in the conveyancing process. When you are selling your property, your buyer’s solicitor will raise enquiries, and one of the first things they will ask for is proof that any replacement windows and doors installed since April 2002 comply with Building Regulations.

Having a FENSA certificate to hand demonstrates this compliance and helps to avoid unnecessary delays in the transaction, which is crucial when you consider how long selling a house can take. It provides the buyer and their mortgage lender with the assurance that the work was carried out to the required standards.

You will also be asked about replacement windows on the property information form. Since 30 March 2026, sellers complete a new version of this form, and our guide to the new TA6 form and what sellers must disclose explains what it covers.

How to Get a Replacement FENSA Certificate

If your windows were fitted by a FENSA-registered installer and you have simply lost the paperwork, you can order a replacement certificate from the FENSA website. You search by address and postcode, and if the installation is on the database you pay a small fee and receive a replacement copy. This is usually the quickest fix of all, so it is worth checking before considering anything else.

If FENSA cannot find a record, the installer may have registered the work with a different scheme, may have failed to register it, or may not have been registered at all. In those cases, the options below apply.

What Happens if You Don’t Have a FENSA Certificate?

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to have misplaced their FENSA certificate or to have had work done by an installer who was not FENSA-registered. If you find yourself in this position when you come to sell your property, don’t panic. There are solutions available, and this is where the expertise of a trusted conveyancing solicitor becomes invaluable.

The two primary solutions are:

1. Retrospective Building Control Approval: You can apply to your local council for what is known as ‘regularisation’. A building control officer will visit your property to inspect the installation. If it meets the required standards, they will issue a certificate of compliance. However, this process can be time-consuming and there is no guarantee that the work will be approved. There is also a fee payable to the local authority.
2. FENSA Indemnity Insurance: A more common and often quicker solution is to obtain a Lack of Building Regulation Approval Indemnity Policy. This is a one-off insurance policy that protects the buyer (and their mortgage lender) against any financial loss they might incur if the local authority were to take enforcement action regarding the non-compliant installation. The seller usually pays for this policy, and at Gorvins Residential, we can advise you on the cost and arrange this on your behalf to ensure a swift progression of your sale.

It is important to understand that an indemnity policy does not guarantee the quality of the installation; it simply provides financial protection against a specific legal risk. This is another reason why understanding what a conveyancer does for the seller is so important.

One word of warning: speak to your solicitor before contacting the council. Most indemnity policies cannot be taken out once the local authority has been approached about the work, so going down the regularisation route first can close off the quicker option. Our guide to indemnity policies and why your solicitor might ask for one explains how these policies work in more detail.

Buying a House Without a FENSA Certificate

If you are the buyer, a missing FENSA certificate is rarely a reason to walk away. Your solicitor will ask the seller for a replacement certificate or an indemnity policy, and your lender will usually accept either. If your survey also suggests the windows are in poor condition, that is a separate question of cost, and our guide on renegotiating the price after a survey can help.

How Gorvins Residential Can Help

At Gorvins Residential, we understand that dealing with property paperwork can be overwhelming. Our dedicated team of conveyancing solicitors is here to take the stress out of the process.

• For Sellers: We proactively request all necessary documentation from you at the outset of the transaction. If a FENSA certificate is missing, we will provide you with clear, practical advice on the best course of action, whether that’s obtaining a replacement certificate from FENSA (if the installer was registered) or arranging a suitable indemnity policy.
• For Buyers: We meticulously review all the paperwork provided by the seller’s solicitor, including any FENSA certificates. We will ensure that all replacement windows and doors are accounted for and that you are protected, either by a valid certificate or an appropriate indemnity policy. This is a key part of what a conveyancing solicitor does for the buyer.

Our goal is to ensure that your property transaction proceeds as smoothly and efficiently as possible, without any last-minute hitches related to missing documentation.

FENSA Certificate FAQs

Can I sell my house without a FENSA certificate? Yes. A missing certificate rarely stops a sale, but it needs dealing with, usually through a replacement certificate or an indemnity policy.

How do I check if my windows are FENSA registered? Use the address search on the FENSA website. If the installation does not appear, check whether your installer used another scheme such as CERTASS.

Do I need a FENSA certificate for a conservatory? Not usually, if the conservatory is separated from the house by external quality doors or walls and has no fixed heating. Your solicitor can confirm what applies to your property.

Who pays for a FENSA indemnity policy? The seller usually pays, as the policy deals with a gap in the seller’s paperwork.

If you are planning on buying or selling a property and are wondering when you should instruct a conveyancing solicitor, or have any questions about FENSA certificates, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and experienced team at Gorvins Residential. You can find out more about our conveyancing solicitors for selling a property, call us on 0161 930 5350 or contact us online. We are here to provide the expert guidance you need for a successful move.