I bought a bungalow about a year ago with a double-glazed front door fitted by the previous owners. The seals on the double-glazing have started to fail. Can we claim on the warranty to get them fixed?
Provided the glazing was guaranteed and the guarantee was either for the benefit of all future occupiers or, if not, the guarantee was assigned (put in your name) to you as buyer, then you have the benefit of the guarantee and can claim under it – as long as the period has not expired.
If the double glazed front door was fitted after April 1, 2002, then it should also have a FENSA Certificate confirming the glazing meets current safety standards. You should have received both the guarantee and FENSA Certificate (if applicable) on completion of the purchase of your bungalow.
Any notice of change of ownership for the guarantee is usually required within three months of purchase, and unless this has been submitted the contractor may refuse to recognise the right of the owner to claim under the guarantee.
* Emyr Pierce is Managing Partner of Emyr Pierce Solicitors in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Western Mail Conveyancer of the Year, specialising in Domestic and Commercial Property. Contact www.emyrpierce.co.uk or email law@emyrpierce.co.uk