Fensa Certificate: everything you need to know 

When you have work done on your home things can be chaotic. The last thing on your mind might be collecting the pieces of paper that show what’s been done.

But filing away and keeping safe the documentation that shows the work has been completed according to building regulations is important, both for your peace of mind and for when it comes to selling up.  

Even if you’re only swapping in like for like, you need to have the right documentation for any new windows and doors that are fitted in your home. 

You might have heard of Fensa or Certass certification. But what is a Fensa certificate and why is it important? 

Fensa is short for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme. 

Fensa was established in 2002 to monitor Building Regulation compliance for replacement windows, doors, and roof lighting.  

A Fensa certificate proves that the window and doors you have had installed meet legal standards.

The Fensa certificate proves that your new windows and doors:

• Are compliant with Building Regulations

• Are energy efficient

• Have been registered with the local council

A Fensa certificate also means the company which installed your windows is insured, which makes the warranty on your windows and doors valid.

As with any building work, it’s possible to pay for a service that doesn’t meet the right safety standards.

Not all window or door fitters will comply with Building Regulations, which could put you or others at risk of a safety defect.

Also, Fensa certification means the work undertaken is registered with the local council. 

It is a legal obligation to comply with Building Regulations and register new windows and doors with your council. 

Read also: Do I need a Building Regulations completion certificate?

If your windows and doors are not fitted by someone who can issue a Fensa certificate or other documentation to show it is compliant, you’re responsible for putting things right.

If this happens, you’re legally obligated to pay for an inspection by building control. 

If the new windows and doors don’t meet Building Regulations, you may have to get the original installer to put things right. Or you might end up paying another contractor to fix the problems, which could be expensive, running into hundreds or thousands of pounds.

It is also your responsibility to register the work with the council if your fitter fails to.

If you forget to, a Retrospective Building Regulation Compliance Certificate from the council could set you back around £350.

Windows, roof lights, roof doors and external doors can be covered by Fensa certification.

The document shows that the installation company has fitted windows and doors which comply with Building Regulations, use energy efficient products and are registered with the council.

The Fensa certificate also validates the warranty on any windows and doors. This means that if something breaks while the windows and doors are still under warranty (typically 10 to 20 years), the contractor who fitted them will have to sort it out for free, with the costs covered by their insurance.

Fensa certification only covers windows, roof lights, roof windows and doors. 

This means conservatories, porches and other constructions near to or supporting doors and windows aren’t covered.

Fensa doesn’t cover windows and doors in new-build homes, which should be under a separate warranty.

Internal doors are also not covered by Fensa.

Fensa is a government-backed scheme to make sure window and door fitters are compliant.

There is a register of all Fensa-certified contractors that you can check.

Either search for a local fitter through the Fensa portal, or check the Fensa ID of your preferred contractor using the Fensa website.

Fensa checks every approved installer regularly to ensure its standards meet building approval.

No, it takes a lot of work. Fensa certification is one of the government’s “Competent person” schemes.

The idea is to take some of the paperwork away from the local council by trusting skilled and qualified tradespeople to self-certify certain types of building work that would otherwise need building regs approval.

The competent person initiative encompasses 17 trade schemes, including electricians and gas engineers, plumbers and builders.  

The schemes have their own measures in place to ensure their members’ work is performed to a high standard. A list of all the trade bodies that are part of the scheme can be found here. 

To become Fensa certified a fitter needs to apply, be approved, pay a fee and register.

You can search for the documentation online and order replacement certificates if you need them, for around £25 a certificate.

Simply enter your address and other details into the Fensa portal.

If requesting a copy online doesn’t work then your solicitor should be able to obtain one for you. This will mostly likely take longer and be more expensive, however.

Depending on when it was issued, there are slightly different designs for Fensa certificates.

Look for the purple Fensa logo and branding. No matter when it was issued, each paper certificate should include: 

1. The name and address of the Fensa-certified installer

2. Details of the work carried out

3. The date the work was complete

4. The Fensa registration number of the installer

If you are having new windows or doors installed, you should get a Fensa certificate straight after the work is completed.

It is important to keep Fensa certification both to protect yourself should there be any problems with the windows and doors (if they are still within warranty you should be able to get problems repaired free of charge).

But it is also crucial to have proper certification when you come to sell your home.

Having windows and doors installed that meet Building Regulations and are registered with the local council is a legal requirement.

Fensa certification proves the above, but you can legally ensure your windows and doors are safe by going through the local council to get retrospective Building Regulation approval and registration. 

Certass is another body like Fensa that can be used to certify window and door fitters that meet Building Regulations and are otherwise legally compliant.

A Fensa certificate verifies that the warranty on your windows and doors is insured. This is essential when selling a home. 

Your Fensa certificates should be passed onto the new owner upon completion of the sale, along with other essential paperwork such as gas safety certificates, electrical checks and other warranties.

Passing on the Fensa certificate to the new owners of your home means they will be able to get the windows or doors fixed if there are any problems within the active warranty period. 

If you don’t have proper certification you can potentially face a hefty fine or even prosecution. Your Fensa certificate is potentially very important, so keep it safe!

A Fensa certificate should be included with the price of your window or door fitting.

Depending on what you choose, the work could cost hundreds or thousands or even tens of thousands if you’re replacing all the windows and doors in a large house.

If you lose your Fensa certificate, you should be able to get replacements for £25.

Typically, a Fensa certificate lasts for as long as the product itself.

Once you replace the windows or doors you’ll need a new Fensa certificate.

Certass is another certification body similar to Fensa.

The name itself does not stand for anything. But like Fensa, if you have a Certass certificate it guarantees compliance with Building Regulations.

Certass-registered window and door fitters will also have to register the work and contact your local council.

If you can’t find a valid Fensa certificate or alternative at the point you come to sell it’s important to take advice from your solicitor.

You may well need to pay out to get your windows checked by the council and do any remediation work before a sale can go through.

This is potentially expensive and can delay an impending sale. So it’s a good idea to get all this stuff sorted before you put your home on the market.