Buying A House With Leased Solar Panels Uk

Fully owned solar panels.

Buying a house with leased solar panels uk.

Homeowners had two options. If the solar panels are leased there will be a standard 25 year term lease in place. The buy out premium is usually the cost of the installation typically 10 15k plus a premium. The homeowner will have leased the panels from the solar power company usually for a 25 year term who then has the right to the feed in tariff payments.

The homeowner enjoys low energy bills plus the prospect of the feed in tariff after 25 years. We want to sell but the buyer s preferred lender won t lend on properties with leasehold panels. Most lenders will agree a loan on a property with leased solar panels provided the contract meets certain conditions one of them being that the installing company be accredited the installation. What do i need to know about buying a house with solar panels.

The lender will need to be satisfied with the lease agreement because the terms of the lease will continue to apply to a new buyer and will affect any new lender who subsequently grants a mortgage on the property. Confirmation that any requirements of the seller s mortgage lender were complied with. Sometimes leases contain buy out clauses meaning the new owner can buy their way out of the lease. If you re considering buying a leasehold property with solar panels the freeholder will need to be contacted to ensure that the necessary permission has been obtained.

We bought a house in 2010 and had solar panels installed on a leasehold basis. Details of any planning and building regulations consents that will have been required. In most cases where solar panels were installed the panels were fitted free of charge by a solar power company. Potential mortgage lenders are likely to apply increased scrutiny when an applicant wishes to buy a home with solar panels for which a solar panel company has leased the roof space.

There may be a buy out clause. The terms of the lease will also need to be carefully reviewed to ensure that installation of solar panels is permitted under the lease. The homeowner then leased the panels to the power company usually for a 25 year term. Get your solicitor to look at the solar panel lease before you make an offer.

Many homes fitted with solar panels will have had them installed free of charge by a solar power company. As a buyer certainly shouldn t be put off buying a property with solar panels however if the panels lack the mcs accreditation or were installed as part of a rent a roof scheme we would be very cautious. We would certainly seek legal advise if this is the case just to see where you stand.