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Solar panels - probate house - ownership cannot be proven

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PennyPincher2019
PennyPincher2019 Posts: 1 Newbie
in House buying, renting & selling
Hi Everyone,
We are in the process of purchasing a property which has fitted solar panels. The said property is also a probate sale.
Having gone through all the requirements, we have come unstuck on an issue relating to the vendor proving ownership of the solar panels.
The vendors are unable to prove the ownership of the panels due to lack of documentation. Is there a way in which we can overcome this? Has others had any similar experiences.
We have tried to identify the company which originally fitted but have had no success.
Any advice greatly received.
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  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
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    What "proof" are you expecting to see? Unless there's actually e.g. a lease of the roof space the panels are occupying, then the panels will be owned by the same owner as every other component of the house.
  • ian103
    ian103 Posts: 883 Forumite
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    find out who is getting the feed in tariff - my understanding is that on rent a roof, the householder has the benefit of the free electric via the panels but the panel owner gets the FiT. (perhaps someone else can verify my understanding)
  • foxy-stoat
    foxy-stoat Posts: 6,879 Forumite
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    What has your solicitor said about this issue?

    The lender will require to see a lease agreement or confirmation that the panels were owned by the vendors, what have they said?

    Maybe an indemnity policy will be suggested by the solicitor, they love to sell them for anything these days.
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,886 Forumite
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    PennyPincher2019 wrote: »
    The vendors are unable to prove the ownership of the panels due to lack of documentation. Is there a way in which we can overcome this? Has others had any similar experiences.


    They would be able to look at the deceased bank details and if there is a credit every three months, they would be owned by the house owner.
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
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    If you get a free account on Nimbus, type in the postcode, spot the property - if they're leased there'll be an "L" indicator on/near the roof, click that and it should show the name of the company.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
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    PasturesNew wrote: »
    If you get a free account on Nimbus, type in the postcode, spot the property - if they're leased there'll be an "L" indicator on/near the roof, click that and it should show the name of the company.

    I would expect/hope that the solicitors have already checked for registered leases.
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,598 Forumite
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    davidmcn wrote: »
    I would expect/hope that the solicitors have already checked for registered leases.


    I would expect the OP to have spoken to the solicitor regarding this.
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,886 Forumite
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    PennyPincher2019 wrote: »
    Hi Everyone,
    We are in the process of purchasing a property which has fitted solar panels. The said property is also a probate sale.


    They have probably never done a probate sale before. The inverter and meter for the panels will likely be in the loft.
    There may be some information there.
  • MysteryMe
    MysteryMe Posts: 3,052 Forumite
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    Have the vendors tried looking for the install details on the MCS website, that will give them a starter for ten.

    https://mcscertified.com/

    " You can check whether an MCS certificate exists by calling the MCS Helpdesk on 0333 103 8130. You will need to know the technology type of the system and the full address (including postcode) of where the system is installed."
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
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    If you need building control sign off for solar there could be something there.
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