Should I buy a house with Solar Panels?
Posted on 7th March 2024
Buying a House with Solar Panels: What You Need to Know
Purchasing a home with solar panels can be an attractive proposition, offering the potential for reduced electricity bills and a smaller carbon footprint, especially as England and Wales- and indeed, the World in general- tries to move towards a greener future. However, there are several legal and financial matters that you should consider before deciding whether or not to proceed with the purchase of a property housing solar panels. Our Conveyancing Solicitors in Lancaster discuss the ownership of solar panels and how this could impact your property purchase.
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Ownership and Leases
One of the primary concerns is the ownership of the panels. Solar panels may be owned outright by the seller, or they could be leased under a ‘Rent a Roof’ scheme. If the panels are leased, this usually involves a long-term agreement (often 25 years) with a third party, which could impose obligations on subsequent property owners, such as maintenance costs or access rights for the solar panel company.
Before making an offer on a property with solar panels, it can be a good idea to obtain and review the solar panel lease with your conveyancing solicitor to ensure that there are no unfavourable terms that could affect your enjoyment of the property or its future saleability.
Mortgage Considerations
Another important factor is mortgage-ability. Some lenders may have reservations about financing homes with leased solar panels, particularly if the lease has not been set up in line with UK Finance guidelines or if the installation company was not certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
Therefore, it is crucial to discuss this with your mortgage provider early on and ensure that the solar panel lease is acceptable to them. If your Conveyancing Solicitors in Lancaster are acting on behalf of you and your lender, which is a common occurrence for our team, who are on panels of the majority of mortgage lenders, we will review the lender’s requirements, and confirm whether the solar panels need to be separately reported to your lender.
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Conveyancing Process
Buying a property with solar panels can lead to additional conveyancing work, especially if the panels are leased. Your conveyancing solicitor will need to ensure that any leasehold interest in the solar panels is correctly noted on the title and that all terms of the lease are complied with. This can prolong the conveyancing process and increase costs, so it’s important to be prepared for this possibility. At MG Legal, we do not increase our legal fees when the property you are purchasing comes with solar panels, so you do not pay more for the privilege of owning solar panels, although additional disbursements may, in some cases, be payable to third parties.
Future Plans and Property Improvements
If you are planning to extend or improve the property, consider whether the solar panels or the terms of the lease could pose restrictions. For instance, a loft conversion or extension might not be feasible if it would interfere with the solar installation or violate the lease terms.
Financial Benefits and Responsibilities
While solar panels can reduce your energy bills, it is essential to evaluate whether the financial benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks, such as obligations under a lease or restrictions on property modifications. Also, check if the solar panels are still under warranty and what the warranty covers, as this can affect future costs.
How can our Conveyancing Solicitors in Lancaster help
Buying a house with solar panels can offer significant benefits, but it’s vital to do your homework and understand all legal and financial implications. Consult with your conveyancing solicitor and mortgage provider early in the process, and make sure you are fully informed before making a decision.
For more information about how our Conveyancing Solicitors in Lancaster can assist with your property purchase – or sale – when solar panels are involved, contact our team on 01524 581 306 or email property@mglegal.co.uk, and our team would be delighted to assist today.
Why choose MG Legal, Conveyancing Solicitors in Lancaster?
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Tagged as: Conveyancing, Solicitors in Lancaster
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