House purchase that has Solar Panels (and a backwards running Electric meter)

toocan

I complete the purchase of a house in 2 weeks that has solar panels that are part of the sale.. I spoke to the vendor today he said that sometimes the meter runs backwards and that he has been submitted fake readings as the energy company won't accept readings lower than the month before... Not to me this feels like stealing in a way, I've read a lot about it needing a smart meter but I'm conscious of what the best thing for me to do is when i get in the new house... I don't want to liable for historic energy debt nor do I want to have to lie moving forward about meter readings.

Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

Also in terms of inheriting a FIT do I need to fill out any paperwork?

QrizB

Regarding the meter and the FIT, you should speak to your solicitor. They may have experience with one or both. I'm slightly surprised they haven't talked about the FIT already.

If I was in your position I'd make the purchase conditional on the current occupier sorting the meter issue out (which will, as a minimum, involve them contacting their energy supplier to get a new meter fitted). If it's too late for that, take a meter reading immediately you take possession (ideally including a dated photo) and contact the supplier to explain the situation. Again they will need to fit a new meter buit at least any shortfall prior to you taking possession will be clearly the previous owner's problem. Considering the time of year (generation in the dark 6 months is relatively low) you might even want to isolate the PV system to stop any further reverse movement of the meter.

Transferring FITs is a relatively common and straightforward activity. Here is EDF's guide (just the first one that turned up when I Googled, but other suppliers will have similar processes).

Edit to add: I'm not a lawyer but submitting false meter readings sounds like fraud, and using electricity from the grid that you haven't paid for sounds like theft.

Martyn1981

Totally agree with QrizB that you need to cover yourself here.

But don't worry too much, your responsibility will be to notify the energy supplier that you believe the meter can run backwards. Once you've done that, it's their responsibility to change the meter to a more modern digital one, or a smart meter if you want.

I think some folk have said that it's taken companies, on occasion, years to change the meter, but so long as you've told them, then you no longer need to worry.

Definitely get the FiTs legally signed over to you via the change of ownership form. Shouldn't be complicated at all, but obviously needs to part of the transfer/purchase.

Just to repeat, totally agree with QrizB, make sure you can prove the reading when you take ownership, and that way any historic issues, are not your concern.