A FENSA certificate records qualifying replacement window or door work under the FENSA scheme. It is useful paperwork to retain with a property's installation records, particularly when preparing documents for a sale.
Understand the scope
FENSA says its certificate confirms compliance with the relevant Building Regulations, use of energy-efficient products and registration with the local council. The scheme covers qualifying replacements of external windows, doors, roof windows and roof lights.
It does not cover every glazing project. FENSA lists exclusions including new builds, extensions, conservatories, porches and commercial properties. Check the scope for the actual work rather than assuming that any new glass should come with this certificate.
Keep the installation documents together
Store the certificate alongside the installation date, installer details, invoice and warranty information. Match the address and description to the work that was carried out. If several projects took place at different times, keep them separate so a certificate for one job is not mistaken for another.
If the certificate cannot be found
Use FENSA's certificate search to check whether it holds a record of the installation. Confirm the current process and charge before ordering a replacement; do not rely on a fee quoted in an old article.
A missing FENSA record is a reason to investigate, not a conclusion about the property's entire compliance position. Ask the installer what certification route was used and ask your conveyancer what evidence is needed for the transaction. Do not assume a missing document can always be resolved by buying insurance.
Before commissioning replacement work
Ask the contractor to explain the certification process in writing, including what documentation you will receive and when. Keep this with the quotation and follow up if the promised records do not arrive.
Editorial review: 14 October 2026. This original Property Perpetuity guide replaces the imported text; the original archive publication date is retained.