buying a house with solar panels but no documentation

hhhjjj111

Hi MSE


Me and my wife recent put an offer done on a house that has solar panels on the roof. At the time, the seller and estate agent said they had all relevant documentation. We got a home buyers report done and on the report it stated they were heating water elements. Our mortgage lender saw a copy of the report and were happy about everything on allowed us to proceed. We also spent money on a structural surveyor and his report mentions they are solar panels. At this point, we're a bit confused but as long as all sufficient documentation was available, we thought we could proceed.


Anyway, the purchase got to ours/their solicitors and theirs have come back and said the roof has solar panels, but no further documentation can be given. Shocked by this, we've told our solicitor to ask further about this all - are the panels leased? Is the roof leased? Who owns the panels? Do they have any certificates of installation etc?


We've rang the energy supplier of the property and they stated there isn't any mention of solar panels providing any energy to the property nor are they aware.


Would anyone know if there is a company in the east midlands area that could visit the property and verify what these are? In fact, I've included a picture of the roof and they don't look like conventional solar panels - would anyone be able to take a guess as to what these are? Also, we've going to pull out of the purchase because if there is a lease, we'd be taking it on and not knowing any about the conditions - would you do the same?


edit:


ok so I cannot post a link nor attach an image...

ProDave

You mention the panels are "heating water elements" so it sound like they are solar thermal and they heat (or help to heat) the hot water.

If this is the case there will usually only be 2 or 3 of them and there really is no paperwork needed to go with them.

On the other hand, if they are solar PV (electric) there will likely be 10 or more, covering virtually the whole roof. Then you have to find out if they are rent a roof (someone else owns them and collects the Feed In Tariff) or if they are owned by the house and the owner is collecting the FIT, in which case youneed it written into the contract that the FIT will be transferred to you.

hhhjjj111

hi Prodave


Thanks for the reply. You are right, they don't cover the whole roof, but there are only 3 panels on the roof. Its a shame I can't link the picture, so i'll try drawing it out!
______
….|..|
....|..|- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .
./..|..| [=====][=====][=====]…………/ \
./..|..|…………………………………… / .. \
/

---

/

---

\


[=====] are the panels in question. They cover a thin strip of the overall roof.


edit: Ok the roof drawing came out awful... the Vertical lines are the chimney, the dashes are the roof top and bottom, the full stops are rows of tiles

[Deleted User]

put the link in with spaces between parts and someone with more post history can post it properly

hhhjjj111

Deleted_User wrote: »

put the link in with spaces between parts and someone with more post history can post it properly

\/\/ \/\/ \/\/.knightsbridge-estates.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/82451_15020_IMG_09-1170x738.jpg


replace the \/\/ \/\/ \/\/ with www

hb2

hhhjjj111 wrote: »

\/\/ \/\/ \/\/.knightsbridge-estates.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/82451_15020_IMG_09-1170x738.jpg


replace the \/\/ \/\/ \/\/ with www

https://www.knightsbridge-estates.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/82451_15020_IMG_09-1170x738.jpg

Carrot007

hhhjjj111 wrote: »

\/\/ \/\/ \/\/.knightsbridge-estates.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/82451_15020_IMG_09-1170x738.jpg


replace the \/\/ \/\/ \/\/ with www

Defo for water heating, you fill the roof for electric generation.


I would be more concerned that the rotary airer appears to be in the middle of bushes ;-)

hhhjjj111

Carrot007 wrote: »

Defo for water heating, you fill the roof for electric generation.


I would be more concerned that the rotary airer appears to be in the middle of bushes ;-)

haha indeed!


so with panels that are specific for water heating, could these have the issue the same as PV solar panels and feed in tariff issues? Are these water heating elements usually installed with leases?

Stratus

It would be worth finding out when the antifreeze in them was last changed.

hhhjjj111

Stratus wrote: »

It would be worth finding out when the antifreeze in them was last changed.

Forgive my ignorance, but why is this important? Is it to ensure smooth running of the unit given it is exposed to the elements?

davidmcn

hhhjjj111 wrote: »

so with panels that are specific for water heating, could these have the issue the same as PV solar panels and feed in tariff issues? Are these water heating elements usually installed with leases?

There is no feed-in tariff, they're not connected to anything outside your own heating circuit (you can't sell your hot water to somebody else!). There are no complications really other than what condition they're in and how effective they are.