FREE Solar Panels is there a catch?

RaeR

Hi all
I'd like some advice.
When we looked around our house to see if we wanted to rent it etc i mentioned to the LL about free solar panels and if he would allow us to get them, he said he would if i could find one that didn't mean he wouldn't be able to sell the house for 25 years.....
He said he had heard that they were free because you were tied for 25 years as you cant sell the house for that amount of time as the space is rented to whichever company installs the solar panels.
Can anyone please help spread any light on this for me? Is this true or are there any schemes where he wouldn't be tied?
Thanks in advance
Rae

Cardew

He can sell the house with 'free'(Rent A Roof) PV panels.


However the new owner has to agree to the same conditions on the 'lease' and the panels will remain on the roof.


Some prospective owners will be attracted - some deterred.


There is evidence that some Building Societies are reluctant to give a mortgage for a house with a restrictive lease.

EricMears

For the best of both worlds, suggest to landlord that he buys the solar panel system and keeps the FIT income. Tenant (and future ones) will enjoy the free electricity and might even be prepared to pay more rent for that privilege.

Martyn1981

EricMears wrote: »

For the best of both worlds, suggest to landlord that he buys the solar panel system and keeps the FIT income. Tenant (and future ones) will enjoy the free electricity and might even be prepared to pay more rent for that privilege.

Hiya Eric, I was going to suggest that, but my next thought was that a canny landlord might think, "Hmm, if this is saving them £120pa, I'll put the rent up £10pm".

Mart.

RaeR

thanks all

EricMears

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Hiya Eric, I was going to suggest that, but my next thought was that a canny landlord might think, "Hmm, if this is saving them £120pa, I'll put the rent up £10pm".
Mart.

I don't think that would count as reasonable grounds for increasing rents to existing tenants. But it could well be considered an added attraction by a prospective tenant who might then be prepared to offer a higher rent.