Solar panels

khris210

We live in a semi detached house. A couple of years ago we fitted solar panels and had our half of the roof ridge repaired. Subsequently the house next door has changed hands and the new owner has pointed out that our panels overlap his roof by about 6-7 inches. The matter is in abeyance at the moment until he repairs his half of the ridge. He also claims that our fitters put their foot through his felt. They didn't remove any of his tiles.What is my legal position? (This wasn't pointed out by his surveyor, since they have been living there for about 2 months.) Any advice would be appreciated.

Furts

How can the felt be torn if the tiles were not removed? It is not logical and cannot occur. Had it occurred why was it not brought to your attention at the time? Why a couple of years later does felt damage become your problem?

I would ignore the damage as a side issue.

The overhanging panels are a problem. Legally, they should be re-sited onto your roof with an "party wall" type understanding/agreement with your neighbour. However, you may be able to come to a financial arrangement with the neighbour.

Or if you do not own the panels, ask the panel company to sort out the problem.

khris210

The panels belong to us. The roof was partially re-felted in the past,not by us, and not over the ridge. Our felt is also damaged, as can be seen on the inside at the front as well as the back, so I think it was done by the look of it by cowboys. I agree that it's a side issue. The overhang however seems to be our problem. Thanks for your input.

missprice

I am fairly sure that roofing felt slowly disintegrates over enough time.
For sure in my roof there are a few scraps of felt left.

of course someone will come along and let me know if I am crazy to say this :rotfl:

Naf

Just a note; if the claimed damage was done before he purchased the property, then his roof wasn't damaged. The previous owner's roof was damaged, and he purchased a damaged roof.

Furts

khris210 wrote: »

The panels belong to us. The roof was partially re-felted in the past,not by us, and not over the ridge. Our felt is also damaged, as can be seen on the inside at the front as well as the back, so I think it was done by the look of it by cowboys. I agree that it's a side issue. The overhang however seems to be our problem. Thanks for your input.

My suggestion is that you go back to the panel installation company and say they got it wrong, come back and sort it out.

I accept many pv installation companies have gone out of business, and you have to have the requisite space to move the panels (or substitute them with smaller panels).

Ultimately they got their survey wrong...assuming what your neighbour claims is correct. Have you measured and checked this statement?