Buying/Selling House with Solar Panels

es5595

When my mum sold her house with solar panels, the whole lot and the FITs went to the buyer.
This seller is trying to pull a fast one, and if he's doing it on this, what else is he pulling that you don't know about. I'd straight up say it wasn't explained to you at all at viewing, it wasn't explained clearly to your partner and the offer was made on the basis of the house.
If he wants to take them away, fine, but if they're staying, they're yours and you're not interested in having your roof leased out.
Finally, of course your estate agent and solicitors want this to go ahead, they get their money when its completed, not before! I'd say the advice on this forum, from people who are not going to benefit financially, should be held in higher regard as unbiased!

HB58

I completely understand that you feel pressurised to go through with your purchase at this late stage. However, please think very carefully and do not go ahead if you have any doubts.

Buying a property is a big step, especially if it is intended to be a family home. I would hate to see you back here in a few months, saying that you have made a terrible mistake . . .

Grenage

I bought a house with a rent-a-roof scheme, it was my first house and I didn't have a problem with it (cheap electricity!). Likewise, we were not short of offers when I sold the place. For that sort of house, nobody cared.

In your position, I would not be happy to pay anything for the panels, nor would I accept the FiT being sold to another firm. I would absolutely say that the panels stay and are yours for nout, or he takes them with and makes good.

davemorton

I would give him 3 options and stick to it.
a) They are left and you gain the FIT
b) He removes them and makes good
c) You walk, and rent while you find somewhere else.

So basically the same as everyone else is telling you to do.

Glover1862

Don't do it, I purchased a btl with solar and the fit was transferred without any question, even then ALL of the issues related to the solar panel installation and mine was a straight forward purchase. What he is proposing is a bespoke agreement which WILL cause you problems in the future, you won't own them or your roof, neither is it a standard rent a roof, your mortgage company maybe ok with it, fairly sure most won't.

Take the advice of people who have been through the buying and selling process of solar, it's a pain, don't make it worse for yourself.

silverwhistle

Rock2000 wrote: »

I was fuming with him when I found out! But as we were told an option was the vendor would take them to his new property, we thought worst case scenario, we would just do that.

If he did that he wouldn't get the FIT.

Bear in mind you can get 4Kwp of panels installed for around £5K. The FIT the panels currently receive may be a lot more than current rates and he may have spent a lot more than current install prices. You need to know more about the situation, but under no circumstances would I personally ever by a house with a rent-a-roof scheme.

If I ever sold my house with its panels they'd be priced in and the new owners would get the benefit of very, very low bills. As someone else has said, this seller wants his cake and eat it too.

cjmillsnun

I bought a house that had a rent a roof scheme. Or actually I ended up not doing so. I made it a condition of purchase that the vendor bought the lease out at their cost on completion. This is because I was having trouble getting mortgage lenders to lend on the property. They agreed and I now benefit from the FiT.

So based on that I would give the same options as davemorton

davemorton wrote:

a) They are left and you gain the FIT
b) He removes them and makes good
c) You walk, and rent while you find somewhere else.

You have to consider future options like remortgaging or selling further down the line.

armchaireconomist

That "10k" he couldn't walk away from is going to cost him several potential house sales in future.


Tell him you want the panels included with the sale - perhaps offer an extra £1,000 if you really like the house - or you're walking.


Someone else owning them and selling electricity etc. just asking for trouble, won't find many who'll take it on.

[Deleted User]

My house has PV panels, solar panels and a wood pellet stove. I get FIT payments, free hot water from the solar panels and RHI payments for my stove. No question about it, these will all go with the house when I sell, no strings attached. Walk away op, I bet the vendor takes every single light bulb. Sounds like a nasty piece of work

sevenhills

kittie wrote: »

My house has PV panels, solar panels and a wood pellet stove. I get FIT payments, free hot water from the solar panels and RHI payments for my stove. No question about it, these will all go with the house when I sell, no strings attached. Walk away op, I bet the vendor takes every single light bulb. Sounds like a nasty piece of work

I have just bought my council house, which has solar panels on the roof. They are a positive, a few hundred pounds off the electric bill and a few hundred in feed in tariffs(I hope).
No problem with the mortgage/solicitor.
Downside will be if the roof springs a leek, and a little more complicated if I want a bedroom in the loft.