FREE SOLAR PANELS - Cannot remortgage!

kellywelly150

FREE SOLAR PANELS - seemed like a good idea at the time. Do our bit for the environment and in return get reduced electricity bills, surely it's a WIN WIN!!!!However there's a lot more to it as it appears since having them installed.
The lease on the solar panels has not been registered properly 2 years after installation. The proper information has not been provided to our existing mortgage provider that I am aware of.
The result being that we cannot get another mortgage so we are stuck on a higher rate, we cannot sell our house as no one else can get a mortgage on our property. Mortgage lenders have also asked for things such as structural engineers & other reports that we were told we would not need.
We have been unable to sort this with the installers as they have gone bust. We did not know that the original installer was not the investor who is also now ignoring us from their far and distant land (Hong Kong).
Our local MP has been unable to resolve this for us after 6 months, Citizens advice cannot help and we now have to consider legal action which we cannot afford.
There must be hundreds of people in similar circumstances that don't even realise yet. This might cause a lot of problems in the future when people want to move, or interest rates increase. :mad:
Are we on our own in this situation?
Where can we turn?
How can they get away with it?
Are other people aware of these potential issues?
PLEASE HELP

lisyloo

Do you have any legal cover or legal advice as part of your home insurance?
Worth checking.

I'm not sure what legal action would acheive?
Trying to pursue individuals internationally would seem highly risky, but at least you'd be able to get some more advice.

The-Joker

kellywelly150 wrote: »

FREE SOLAR PANELS - seemed like a good idea at the time. Do our bit for the environment and in return get reduced electricity bills, surely it's a WIN WIN!!!!However there's a lot more to it as it appears since having them installed.
The lease on the solar panels has not been registered properly 2 years after installation. The proper information has not been provided to our existing mortgage provider that I am aware of.
The result being that we cannot get another mortgage so we are stuck on a higher rate, we cannot sell our house as no one else can get a mortgage on our property. Mortgage lenders have also asked for things such as structural engineers & other reports that we were told we would not need.
We have been unable to sort this with the installers as they have gone bust. We did not know that the original installer was not the investor who is also now ignoring us from their far and distant land (Hong Kong).
Our local MP has been unable to resolve this for us after 6 months, Citizens advice cannot help and we now have to consider legal action which we cannot afford.
There must be hundreds of people in similar circumstances that don't even realise yet. This might cause a lot of problems in the future when people want to move, or interest rates increase. :mad:
Are we on our own in this situation?
Where can we turn?
How can they get away with it?
Are other people aware of these potential issues?
PLEASE HELP

Feel very sorry for you. If the original company has gone bust then would that not vois any contract you had. The official recevier should in time come and take the panels and you will be back to square 1?

kellywelly150

thanks Joker but unfortunately it's apparently not that simple. The installers went bust but the investors stay the same. If I remove the panels or switch them off they have threatened to sue me for the money they will loose over the 25 year lease!

k3lvc

So who is your contract with ? Installer, investor, another faceless company ??

kellywelly150

I don't really know. The original paperwork said nothing about an investor, just had the installers details on. I was not aware that there was even a separate investor.
They tell me the contract / lease is with the investor (Salcon in Hong Kong) but there is no ombudsman or any other regulatory company that I know of to get advice from.

macman

So you signed a contract without knowing who you were even contracting with?
An installer is just an installer, nothing more, that doesn't mean you are contracted with them.
Perhaps it might be wise to take legal advice as to whether the contract is actually enforceable, if it that's poorly worded?

kellywelly150

That's right macman I'm not even 100% convinced that there is a contract but it's scary being under threat of being sued. They told me that even though there is nothing written with their name on that there is still an unwritten agreement / contract between us.
They were unwilling to provide documentation / evidence to connect them to the original installer and when I started asking questions they cut off all contact and won't reply. But if I just assume they are dodgy then I could end up in a lot of trouble.
That's when I asked my local MP to help but they have got no further than me.
Of course legal advice is going to cost money, which is a last resort really.

marleyboy

They told me that even though there is nothing written with their name on that there is still an unwritten agreement / contract between us.
They were unwilling to provide documentation / evidence to connect them to the original installer and when I started asking questions they cut off all contact and won't reply.

That would be enough to convince me they were just trying it on and relying on fear factors. I would rip the thing out and wait for them to try and explain that one to a judge.

kellywelly150

very very tempting marleyboy!!! That's what my gut tells me but it's just too risky....... perhaps I could sell them and make a profit LOL!

macman

Yes, there is a verbal contract, and that is just as binding as a written one. But in the absence of a proper written contract, it's your word against theirs. To win their claim, they have to prove it.
Are you now saying that you don't even have a copy of the document that you signed?
Since an inability to remortgage or sell your house is costing you money, a solicitor is not a last resort, it's the first option-what do you think that your MP is going to be able to do? You need to find out : a) is there a binding contract and b) are they in breach of contract by failing to register the lease?