my first house! rules and regulations?

If you have any windows installed, they need to be fitted by someone who will provide you with a FENSA certificate, can't remember what this proves but it's a requirement I'm afraid. It's only necessary when you try to sell your property, without one it will cause a problem :(

Hellraiser.................>

Now that you have become a householder Rob you should learn to do basic things like connecting a hose to a pipe with a clip yourself and most other diy jobs with a bit of help from this newsgroup. You need a gas fitter just to start the gas heating system first time. They put a fancy word on that to charge extra. They call it commissioning the system and thats what the exhorbitant charge is for. Dont believe that crap about the windows. If someone wants to buy any house do you really think they would ask you for a cert that they were made by xyz and that might put them off? Even the birds in the trees build their nests without regulations so dont let far fetched rules cramp your style or you will never succeed.

A quick search relates them to the glowballers clique. I wonder if it's more than the Friends of the Monkey that are in the pie. It's a bloody big pie.

And no doubt full of moles.

There are probably a million rules and regulations, most of which are of no consequence to you. So when you need to know about something specific just ask, we'll be sure to make something up for you :)

BTW this thing about corgis and gas is not true, though its much promoted.

NT

In message , at 23:24:34 on Sat, 12 Aug

I've had windows installed as part of a loft extension (with regular building inspector visits). All the electrics have been properly installed and certified by a nicey-icey chap, but are you saying the builder should have got someone (other than the LA Building Inspector) to check and certify the windows?

The message from "rob" contains these words:

Then you know wrong. You're quite entitled to do it yourself, provided you're "competent", which if it's a matter of plugging in a quick-connect gas fitting and ensuring the safety chain is in place would include most five year olds.

Not quite, you can DIY or use a non FENSA contractor and go the buildings notice route.

I think solicitors are loosing interest in this one now. They were keen on checking it for the first couple of years.

Just ask yourself, would lack of a certificate from a completely toothless trade body with none of the consumers interests in mind, bother you when buying?

Basically, head down and get on with it. Ignore regulations if you are half competent. If it comes to certificates when you sell just plead ignorance or say you can't find them etc. S'only a bit of paper and won't jeopardise the sale.

cheers Jacob

the guy who was telling me about it at work said that the solicitor told him if he couldnt provide the certificate he'd be fined =A37,000

Who? The vendor, installer or solicitor?

(as long as it's the solicitor, I don't mind)

The message from "rob" contains these words:

Well, that confirms just about everything most people think about solicitors.

The message from Andy Hall contains these words:

Oooh, yes, I like that idea. Let's all lose everything and get the solicitors fined 7k a throw!

Total boloocks I'm pleased to say. There's nothing you could do in a house which can't be verified/certificated (or failed!) after the event by surveyors, electricians etc. if you are asked. They have dumped the house cert scheme wossitcalled so things are as they ever were. It's a jungle out there!

cheers Jacob

I would suggest that "compentent" in this situation would also include checking that the permenant room ventilation is up to scratch for use with a non flued appliance such as a cooker, and performing a gas soundness test after connection.

I would like to explain the difference between installing a cooker and reconnecting a cooker.

If you have a cooker that already has a hose on it and the location has a self-sealing gas outlet and there is a suitable stability bracket or chain in place THEN you may happily reconnect it yourself and use it. This work does not constitute "Gas Work" as defined at law in the GSIUR(1998). It is something of a grey area if the cooker is new to the house, but if it's essentially the right size to fit the gap in the kitchen and the stability device is good then it really is only a reconnection. There is a small chance that the new model is more restrictive in terms of ventilation or clearance requirements.

A brand new cooker will not have a hose connected - a hose probably won't even be supplied with it. To connect it and commission it you must be competent to do so. You should also notify building control. If the instructions don't otherwise specify then it must be installed according to BS 6172 (link below).

BTW all 'call at a house' businesses need to charge around £50 to arrive. This matter has been discussed many times before.

the guy who was telling me about it at work said that the solicitor told him (the guy at work) if he (the guy at work) couldn't provide the certificate he'd (the guy at work) be fined =A37,000

Solicitors dont usually bullshit their clients, so perhaps he misunderstood.

NT

I can't believe you said that. Solicitors ALWAYS bullshit their clients.

However, having a legal training, they can't get caught doing it. This is your best defense. Probe them about every detail. Eventually the truth emerges. Which is usually 'whatever the words say, the practical situation is that and breach of contract won't make enough in court to be worth suing over, and even if you win, there is naff all chance of ever getting paid'

Which is why the world still contains many more specialist kneecap makeover professionals, than lawyers.

The message from The Natural Philosopher contains these words:

More likely the solicitor misunderstood.