This guide explains Building Regulations certificates for new windows and doors in Streatham Hill. It is for homeowners who are about to replace frames, or who are buying or selling a home and need to know what paperwork to expect. You will learn what the certificate is, how you get it, how to check it, and what to do if one is missing.
The short version is simple. When we fit your windows or doors, we register the work and you get a certificate in the post. Keep it safe, because you will need it when you sell.
Why Replacement Windows Are Notifiable Work
In England and Wales, replacing a window or door that holds glass is building work under the law. It is called notifiable work. This means someone must confirm the new frames meet Building Regulations. That applies to a single back door just as much as a whole house of windows.
The rules cover a few key things:
- Heat loss. New frames must keep heat in to a set standard.
- Safety glass. Glass in doors and low panes must be safe if broken.
- Fire escape. Some upstairs windows must open wide enough to climb out.
- Air flow. The home must not lose the fresh air it had before.
- Structure. The opening must be sound, with a proper lintel above.
There are two ways to show the work meets the rules. You can apply to your council's building control team, who will inspect the job. Or you can use an installer who belongs to a competent person scheme. Nearly all homeowners choose the second route, as it is simpler and quicker.
Competent Person Schemes Explained
A competent person scheme is a body approved by the government. It checks that its member firms know the rules and do the work to the right standard. Members can then sign off their own work without a council visit.
FENSA or Certass are two well-known schemes for windows and doors. There are others too. We are members of FENSA. The scheme checks a sample of our jobs and keeps a record of every one we register.
For you, this means less hassle. You do not need to apply to the council, pay a fee to building control, or wait in for an inspector. We handle the paperwork as part of the job. You can see details of our scheme and other memberships on our accreditations page.
Before you hire any installer, ask which scheme they belong to. Then check their name on the scheme's website. A firm that is not in a scheme cannot sign off its own work, and you would need to deal with building control yourself.
What the Compliance Certificate Is and When It Arrives
Once we finish your job, we register it with FENSA. The scheme then sends you a compliance certificate. It shows:
- Your address.
- The name of the installer.
- The date the work was done.
- The number of windows and doors fitted.
- A reference number for the job.
The scheme also tells your local council that the work is done and meets the rules. This means the council's records are up to date without you doing a thing.
The certificate usually arrives in the post within a few weeks of fitting. If it has not come after a month or so, call us. We will check the job has been logged and chase it for you. Our how we work page shows where this fits in the full process, from survey to aftercare.
Why Solicitors Ask for the Certificate
When you sell your home, the buyer's solicitor will send a list of questions. One of them asks whether any windows or doors have been replaced. If they have, the solicitor will ask to see the certificate.
The certificate proves the work was done legally and to the right standard. Without it, the buyer cannot be sure the frames are safe and sound. That can delay the sale while you try to find the paperwork. In some cases the buyer may ask for a lower price, or walk away.
Keep your certificate with your house deeds and guarantee papers. A scan or photo on your phone or computer is also a good idea. If you remortgage, the lender may ask to see it too.
How to Check a Certificate
If you are buying a home, or you have lost your copy, you can check whether a certificate exists. Most schemes let you search their records online by postcode or address. You can often order a copy for a small fee.
When you check, look for these points:
- The address matches the home exactly.
- The number of windows and doors matches what is fitted.
- The date fits with when the frames were put in.
- The installer was a scheme member at that time.
If the scheme has no record, try the local council's building control team. They keep records of work that was signed off by inspection, and of work notified by a scheme.
What Happens Without a Certificate
If windows or doors were fitted without being signed off, the work does not have Building Regulations approval. This can happen if the fitter was not in a scheme, or failed to register the job. There are a few ways to deal with it.
Regularisation. You can apply to the council's building control team for a regularisation certificate. An inspector visits and checks the work. They may ask for some parts to be opened up, or for changes to bring the work up to standard. If it passes, you get a certificate. The council charges a fee for this.
Indemnity insurance. Some sellers buy a one-off insurance policy instead. It covers the buyer if the council later takes action over the work. It does not prove the work is safe, so some buyers and lenders are not keen on it.
Ask the fitter. If you know who fitted the frames, contact them first. They may have forgotten to register the job and can still do so.
The best way to avoid all this is to use a scheme member from the start. Every job we quote includes registration and the certificate. After a free survey you get a written, fixed quote, which you can request on our get a quote page.
Part L: Keeping Heat In
Part L of the Building Regulations sets the rules for heat loss. In England, replacement windows must reach a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better. A U-value measures how fast heat passes through the whole window. The lower the number, the less heat you lose.
As an option, a window can meet the rules with a Window Energy Rating of band B or better. This rating looks at heat loss, solar gain and air leaks together. Wales has its own version of Part L, and we follow the rules that apply to your home.
All the windows we fit meet these standards. Many go well beyond them, with low-E glass, argon gas and warm edge spacers. Our guide to energy efficient windows explains these ratings in more detail.
Safety Glass and Fire Escape Basics
Part K: safety glass. Glass in some places is more likely to be hit by people. These are called critical locations. They include glass in doors, glass next to doors, and low glass near the floor. In these places the glass must be toughened or laminated, so it breaks safely or stays in place. We fit safety glass in every critical location as standard.
Part B: means of escape. In a fire, you may need to climb out of an upstairs window. Rooms such as bedrooms above the ground floor often need an escape window. It must open wide enough and sit low enough for a person to get out. When we replace a window that serves as an escape route, the new one must be at least as good as the old one. We use egress hinges that open the sash wide.
Part F: fresh air. New windows seal much better than old ones. To keep fresh air coming in, we fit trickle vents in the frames where the rules need them.
If your home is listed or in a conservation area, other rules apply on top. See our guide to listed buildings and conservation areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all new windows need a certificate?
In England and Wales, replacing a window or a glazed door is notifiable building work. It must be signed off, either by a competent person scheme member or by council building control. Repairs such as new glass units, hinges or locks are not notifiable. New windows in a new extension are covered by the building control approval for that extension.
How long does the certificate take to arrive?
Most certificates arrive in the post within a few weeks of fitting. We register each job with FENSA once the work is complete. The scheme then issues the certificate and informs the council. If you have not received yours after a month or so, call us and we will chase it.
What if the certificate is lost?
You can usually get a copy from the scheme that issued it. Most let you search by address online and order a duplicate for a small fee. If you cannot find a record, contact your council's building control team. They keep records of notified work and may be able to confirm it.
Can windows be sold with a house that has no certificate?
You can still sell, but it may slow things down. The buyer's solicitor will ask why there is no certificate. Options include a regularisation certificate from the council, or an indemnity insurance policy. A regularisation certificate is the stronger choice, as it shows an inspector has checked the work.
Is there only one scheme for windows?
No. FENSA or Certass are the best known, but other approved schemes cover windows and doors too. All of them let members sign off their own work and issue a valid certificate. We are members of FENSA. Whatever the scheme, check the installer's name on its website before you sign.
