FENSA Certificate Missing and Company Gone Bust: What to Do
Your window installer has gone bust and you have no FENSA certificate. Here's how to check databases, get a regularisation certificate, or use indemnity insurance to keep your sale on track.
What you need to know
If your window installer has gone out of business and you cannot find a FENSA certificate, the situation is recoverable. The certificate may still exist in the FENSA or CERTASS database regardless of the company's status. If it does not, your two main options are indemnity insurance (£30–£100, arranged in 24–48 hours) or a local authority regularisation certificate (£250–£500, taking 4–8 weeks). This guide walks you through every step.
- A FENSA certificate belongs to the FENSA database, not the installer. Even if the company has gone bust, the certificate may still be retrievable at fensa.org.uk.
- If no certificate was ever registered, indemnity insurance (£30–£100) is the fastest and cheapest solution, accepted by most mortgage lenders.
- A local authority regularisation certificate (£250–£500) is the alternative if you have already contacted the council or prefer formal sign-off.
- Check Companies House to confirm the installer’s status — dissolved, in liquidation, or still active — as this helps your solicitor respond to buyer enquiries.
- Dealing with this issue proactively before the buyer’s solicitor raises it can prevent one to three weeks of delays.
Pine handles the legal prep so you don't have to.
Check your sale readinessDiscovering that your window installer has gone out of business — and that you have no FENSA certificate — is a common and stressful situation for sellers. It typically comes to light when you are preparing to sell your property and your solicitor asks for Building Regulations documentation, or when the buyer's solicitor raises it as a conveyancing enquiry.
The good news is that this is a solvable problem. The FENSA certificate may still exist even though the company does not. And even if no certificate was ever issued, there are well-established routes to resolve the issue without derailing your sale. This guide covers residential properties in England and Wales and builds on our main guide to what to do when you have no FENSA certificate, with specific advice for the situation where the installer is no longer trading.
Why the installer going bust complicates things
When a window installation company is still trading, resolving a missing certificate is relatively straightforward. You can contact them, ask them to provide a copy, or request that they register the work retrospectively through their competent person scheme. When the company has gone bust, these options disappear.
The specific complications include:
- No point of contact. There is no office to call, no email to send, and no one to chase for documentation.
- No guarantee recourse. Any workmanship guarantee provided by the installer is likely worthless if the company is dissolved. For more on this, see our guide on window guarantees without FENSA.
- Uncertainty about registration. You may not know whether the installer was FENSA or CERTASS-registered at the time of installation, or whether they actually registered your specific job.
- No paperwork. Many homeowners rely on the installer to handle all the certification. If the company goes bust, any records they held may be lost.
Despite these complications, the underlying issue — proving Building Regulations compliance for post-April 2002 window replacements — has standard solutions that work regardless of the installer's status.
Step 1: Check the FENSA and CERTASS databases
Before assuming the worst, check whether the installer actually registered the work before they went bust. The FENSA and CERTASS databases hold records independently of the installer — so even if the company no longer exists, the certificate record may still be there.
How to search FENSA
- Visit fensa.org.uk
- Use the "Find a Certificate" tool on the homepage
- Enter your postcode and select your address
- If the installation was registered, it will appear in the results with the date of installation and the installer's name
- You can order a replacement certificate online for a small fee (typically £5 to £10)
How to search CERTASS
- Visit certass.co.uk
- Use the certificate checker tool
- Enter your postcode and address details
- If the work was registered through CERTASS, the record will appear
If either search returns a result, your problem is solved. Order the replacement certificate and include it in your sale documentation. The company's current status is irrelevant — the certificate is valid regardless.
Step 2: Check with your local authority
If the FENSA and CERTASS databases do not show a record, there is one more place to check before moving to alternative solutions. The installer may have used the local authority building control route instead of a competent person scheme. This would mean a building control officer inspected and signed off the work, and the council issued a completion certificate.
Contact your local authority's building control department (often accessible through the council website or by phone) and ask whether they hold a completion certificate for window replacement work at your address. If they do, request a copy. This serves the same purpose as a FENSA certificate and will satisfy the buyer's solicitor.
Important caveat: if you plan to use indemnity insurance as your fallback option, be careful about how you approach the council. Simply asking whether they hold a record is generally fine. But if you make a formal enquiry or application about non-compliant work, this can invalidate your ability to take out indemnity insurance later. We explain this in more detail below.
Step 3: Check Companies House
Understanding the installer's current legal status can help your solicitor respond to the buyer's enquiries and demonstrates that you have done your due diligence. You can check this on Companies House.
Search for the company name and note the following:
| Company status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Active | The company still exists. You may be able to contact them for the certificate. |
| Dissolved | The company has been struck off the register and no longer exists. No further action can be taken against it. |
| In liquidation | The company is being wound up. A liquidator has been appointed but the process is not yet complete. |
| In administration | The company is under the control of an administrator who may be attempting to rescue or sell the business. |
If the company is dissolved, there is no entity to pursue. If it is in liquidation or administration, you could contact the appointed insolvency practitioner, but they are unlikely to hold installation records or be able to issue certificates. Your time is better spent on the practical solutions below.
Option A: Indemnity insurance
If no certificate exists in any database, the fastest and most cost-effective solution is indemnity insurance. This is a one-off insurance policy that protects the buyer and their mortgage lender against the risk of the local authority taking enforcement action over non-compliant windows.
Key details
- Cost: £30 to £100 (one-off payment)
- Timeframe: Arranged by your solicitor within 24 to 48 hours
- Duration: Indefinite — the policy passes to future owners
- Accepted by: The vast majority of mortgage lenders
- Who pays: The seller, as a standard disbursement
The critical condition
You must not have contacted the local authority about the windows before taking out the policy. If you have made a formal enquiry, complaint, or application to the council about the installation, most insurers will refuse to provide cover. This is because the insurance is designed to protect against the risk of enforcement action — if the council is already aware of the issue, the risk is no longer theoretical.
This is why it is important to check the FENSA and CERTASS databases before contacting your council. If you need to check council records, ask only whether they hold a completion certificate for the work — do not make a formal complaint about non-compliant building work.
Option B: Local authority regularisation certificate
If indemnity insurance is not available (typically because you have already contacted the council), or if you prefer formal Building Regulations sign-off, you can apply for a regularisation certificate. This is a retrospective approval under Section 36 of the Building Act 1984.
The process
- Submit a regularisation application to your local authority building control department
- Pay the application fee — typically £250 to £500
- A building control officer inspects the windows at your property
- If the windows meet thermal performance (typically Window Energy Rating band C or U-value of 1.4 W/m²K) and ventilation standards, the council issues the certificate
Risks and considerations
- Time: The process takes four to eight weeks, which may delay your sale if not started early
- Inspection failure: If the windows do not meet current standards, you may be required to carry out remedial work before the certificate is issued
- Cost of remedial work: If the windows fail inspection, upgrading them could cost significantly more than the regularisation fee itself
- No guarantee of success: Unlike indemnity insurance, which is always available (subject to the council contact condition), regularisation depends on the windows actually meeting the required standard
Indemnity insurance vs regularisation: quick comparison
| Factor | Indemnity insurance | Regularisation certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £30 – £100 | £250 – £500+ |
| Timeframe | 24 – 48 hours | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Proves compliance | No — insures against risk | Yes — formal approval |
| Requires inspection | No | Yes |
| Risk of failure | None | Windows may not pass |
| Council contact restriction | Must not have contacted council | No restriction |
| Accepted by lenders | Most lenders | All lenders |
What about the installer's guarantee?
When your window installer went bust, any workmanship guarantee they provided almost certainly became worthless. A company guarantee is only as good as the company behind it. Once the business is dissolved, there is no entity to honour the guarantee.
However, some guarantees may still be valid:
- Insurance-backed guarantees (IBGs). Some installers offered guarantees that were underwritten by a third-party insurance provider. These survive the company going bust because the insurance provider, not the installer, is liable. Check your paperwork for the name of the insurance provider and contact them directly.
- Manufacturer's guarantees. If the windows came with a separate manufacturer's guarantee (for example, on the glass units or frames), this may still be valid because the manufacturer is a different company from the installer.
- FENSA guarantee. FENSA provides an insurance-backed guarantee scheme for installations registered through them. If your work was registered with FENSA, you may have protection even though the installer has gone bust. Check the FENSA website for details.
For a fuller explanation of guarantee options, see our guide on window guarantees without FENSA.
What to tell the buyer's solicitor
When the buyer's solicitor raises an enquiry about the missing FENSA certificate, your solicitor will need to provide a clear response. A well-prepared reply should include:
- Confirmation that the installer has ceased trading — ideally supported by a Companies House search showing the company's dissolved status
- Evidence that the FENSA and CERTASS databases have been checked and no certificate was found
- The proposed solution — either an indemnity insurance policy (enclosed with the response) or confirmation that a regularisation application has been submitted
- Any available information about the installation — approximate date, whether the windows are double-glazed, and their general condition
Providing this information proactively, rather than waiting for multiple rounds of enquiries, demonstrates good faith and keeps the transaction moving. The more prepared you are, the less likely this issue is to cause delays.
How to prevent this from delaying your sale
The best way to prevent a missing FENSA certificate from causing delays is to deal with it before it becomes an issue:
- Check early. As soon as you decide to sell, check the FENSA and CERTASS databases for certificates. If you know your windows were replaced after April 2002 and the installer is no longer trading, assume there may be a problem and investigate immediately.
- Instruct your solicitor early. If no certificate exists, tell your solicitor as soon as you instruct them. They can arrange indemnity insurance as part of your initial sale preparation, so it is ready to include in the contract pack from day one.
- Disclose on the TA6. When completing your TA6 form, declare the window replacement honestly and note that the installer has ceased trading. Transparency reduces the risk of disputes later.
- Include the solution in the contract pack. Whether it is an indemnity insurance policy or a regularisation certificate, include it with the contract documents sent to the buyer's solicitor. This answers the question before it is asked.
How Pine helps
Missing certificates are one of the most common causes of conveyancing delays. Pine helps sellers identify and resolve these issues before listing by guiding you through the TA6 and TA10 property information forms with AI-assisted support. By flagging potential problems early — including missing FENSA certificates, building regulations sign-off, and other compliance gaps — Pine helps you get ahead of the enquiries that would otherwise slow down your sale.
Sources
- FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) — fensa.org.uk
- CERTASS (Certificate of Assurance) — certass.co.uk
- Companies House — find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
- Building Act 1984, Section 36 (regularisation of unauthorised building work) — legislation.gov.uk
- GOV.UK — Building Regulations: Approved Document L (Conservation of fuel and power)
- GOV.UK — Competent person scheme: current schemes and what they cover
Related guides
- No FENSA Certificate for Windows? What to Do When Selling
- Window Guarantee Without FENSA: What Are Your Options?
- Building Regulations Sign-Off Missing When Selling
- Indemnity Insurance: Who Pays When Selling a House?
- No Building Regulations Certificate? What to Do
- Documents Needed to Sell a House
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a FENSA certificate if the installation company has gone bust?
It depends on whether the installer registered the work with FENSA before they ceased trading. If they did, the certificate exists in the FENSA database regardless of the company’s current status. You can search for it at fensa.org.uk and order a replacement copy. If the installer never registered the work — which is more common with companies that later go bust — then no certificate exists and you will need to use an alternative route such as indemnity insurance or a local authority regularisation certificate.
How do I check if my windows were registered with FENSA or CERTASS?
You can check the FENSA database at fensa.org.uk by entering your postcode and selecting your address. If the installation was registered, it will appear in the search results and you can order a replacement certificate for a small fee. For CERTASS, visit certass.co.uk and use their certificate checker. Both databases hold records of all installations registered through their respective schemes since 2002. If neither returns a result, the work was not self-certified through a competent person scheme.
What is a regularisation certificate and how do I get one for windows?
A regularisation certificate is a retrospective Building Regulations approval issued by your local authority under Section 36 of the Building Act 1984. To obtain one, you submit an application to your council’s building control department, pay a fee (typically £250 to £500), and a building control officer inspects the windows. If they meet the required thermal performance and ventilation standards, the council issues the certificate. The process takes four to eight weeks and provides formal proof of compliance, which is accepted by all mortgage lenders.
How much does indemnity insurance cost for missing FENSA certificates?
Indemnity insurance for missing FENSA certificates typically costs between £30 and £100 as a one-off payment. The exact price depends on the property value and the insurer. The policy is arranged by your solicitor, usually within 24 to 48 hours, and lasts indefinitely. It passes to future owners of the property. The seller normally pays for the policy as a disbursement through their solicitor. Most mortgage lenders accept indemnity insurance as a satisfactory alternative to a FENSA certificate.
Will a missing FENSA certificate delay my house sale if the installer has gone bust?
It can cause a delay of one to three weeks if it is not addressed proactively. The buyer’s solicitor will raise it as an enquiry and their mortgage lender may require resolution before releasing funds. If you arrange indemnity insurance as part of your sale preparation, the issue can be resolved within 24 to 48 hours with no delay to the transaction. If you need a regularisation certificate instead, allow four to eight weeks. The key is to check for the issue early and have a solution ready before the buyer’s solicitor asks.
Can I contact the liquidator of the window company to get my FENSA certificate?
You can try, but it is unlikely to be productive. Liquidators are appointed to wind up a company’s affairs and distribute assets to creditors. They do not typically hold installation records or have the ability to issue FENSA certificates. The FENSA certificate is registered with the FENSA scheme itself, not held by the installer. If the installer registered the work before going bust, the certificate is in the FENSA database. If they did not register it, the liquidator cannot retrospectively create one. Your time is better spent checking the FENSA and CERTASS databases directly.
What if my windows were installed by a company that was not FENSA-registered?
If the installer was not registered with FENSA or CERTASS, they should have submitted a building notice to your local authority before starting the work, with building control inspecting and signing off the installation. If they did neither — which is unfortunately common with cheaper or less reputable installers — the work is technically non-compliant with Building Regulations. Your options are to apply for a regularisation certificate from your local authority or take out indemnity insurance. The company going bust does not change your available options.
Do I need a FENSA certificate for double glazing installed 15 years ago?
If the double glazing was installed after 1 April 2002, yes, you need proof of Building Regulations compliance in the form of a FENSA certificate, CERTASS certificate, or local authority completion certificate. The age of the installation does not remove the requirement. However, the longer ago the work was done, the less likely a local authority is to take enforcement action, which is why indemnity insurance is readily available and usually accepted by buyers and lenders for older installations.
Can the buyer insist on a regularisation certificate instead of indemnity insurance?
Technically, yes. A buyer can insist on any form of assurance they choose. However, indemnity insurance is the accepted industry standard for missing FENSA certificates and is accepted by the vast majority of mortgage lenders. If a buyer insists on a regularisation certificate, this adds four to eight weeks and £250 to £500 to the process. Most solicitors would advise the buyer that indemnity insurance is a reasonable and proportionate solution. If the buyer remains insistent, it becomes a negotiation point in the transaction.
How do I check Companies House to see if my window installer has gone bust?
Visit the Companies House website at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk and search for the company name. The register shows the company’s current status, which will be listed as ‘dissolved’, ‘liquidation’, or ‘active’. If the company is dissolved, it no longer exists as a legal entity. You may also find the name of the liquidator or administrator if the company went through a formal insolvency process. This information can be useful for your solicitor when responding to the buyer’s enquiries about the history of the window installation.
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