Solar Panel Ownership 14 September 2021 at 4:44PM in Green & ethical MoneySaving 11 replies 373 views

jojogold81

Hi

Help needed! I bought my property in 2018 with solar panels, I wrongly assumed that ownership would transfer to me once the sale completed. 3 years on the vendor is now stating they still own the panels and I should provide them with meter readings. It was never mentioned by my solicitors when I was going through the sale 3 years again and was total unaware they wouldn't belong to me as the owner of the home otherwise I would have stipulated. I have all original the installation certificates.

I never set up any FIT payments as at the time the scheme had closed to new customers and I was wasn't aware of the process to be honest. As far as I'm aware I haven't been benefiting from cheaper electricity either. I'm not sure where I stand and what I should do next so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

QrizB

Regarding ownership, have a word with your solicitors. They should have dealt with this for you at the time. Unless there was something in your contract stating otherwise, title to the panels will have passed to you along with all the other fixtures and fittings.

Once you took possession you should have been able to transfer the FIT payments into your name, for payment to your bank account. Transfer of a FIT under these circumstances is a routine administrative process and the FIT supplier will have a system for it.

Meatballs

I would tell them to speak to your solicitor/get lost. That would have to be something fairly explicit in your purchase contract. Even if they did somehow "belong" to them you aren't obligated to give them meter readings unless you and your solicitor didn't read any of your paperwork?

jojogold81

Meatballs said:

I would tell them to speak to your solicitor/get lost. That would have to be something fairly explicit in your purchase contract. Even if they did somehow "belong" to them you aren't obligated to give them meter readings unless you and your solicitor didn't read any of your paperwork?

haha thanks for this. I did and have done again read through the paperwork and nothing to state they would retain ownership. I will get contact my solicitors though to make sure

Meatballs

The one caveat would be if they were leased solar panels/roof space (but then they wouldn't belong to the vendor).

Your solicitor should have handled all that at sale and if they messed that up I would imagine they need to compensate you.

jojogold81

QrizB said:

Regarding ownership, have a word with your solicitors. They should have dealt with this for you at the time. Unless there was something in your contract stating otherwise, title to the panels will have passed to you along with all the other fixtures and fittings.

Once you took possession you should have been able to transfer the FIT payments into your name, for payment to your bank account. Transfer of a FIT under these circumstances is a routine administrative process and the FIT supplier will have a system for it.

Thanks this is very helpful. I will get back in contact with my solicitor, feel like they have let me down with this issue.

EricMears

There's every chance that the vendor intended to retain ownership of the panels but has been let down by their solicitor !

Kurioh

Hi there. Was there an outcome to this?

jimjames

jojogold81 said:

 As far as I'm aware I haven't been benefiting from cheaper electricity either. I'm not sure where I stand and what I should do next so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

You will certainly be getting the electricity from the panels, just not the FIT payments if you've not registered. Surprised it's taken 3 years for them to ask for a meter reading though.

What is listed on the fixtures and fittings form? That should specify any items that are staying or being retained. If no mention of them at all then vendor hasn't got a leg to stand on especially after 3 years. Maybe they've seen that you didn't register for FITs and are trying their luck thinking there is a few thousand up for grabs.

I'll be honest it's something I've considered when we sell if the purchaser isn't really bothered about the solar panels if it means I retain £2k per year for the next 10 years. 

The_Unready

Why would any sane purchaser 'not be really bothered' about receiving £2k per annum?

QrizB

I note the OP posted back in September and hasn't been active since.

Kurioh said:

Hi there. Was there an outcome to this?

I agree, it would be nice to know if it was resolved.