Solar panels are becoming more popular due to their advantages, including:

• Energy savings
• The ability to increase and maximise energy savings by building in battery storage on the system
• Environmental benefits
• Increased home value
• Long performance warranties now being offered by some suppliers

There are usually 2 different types of solar panels:

• Systems where the solar panels are owned outright
• Systems where the roof spaces are leased to a company who owns the system and are responsible for it and the home owner receives a benefit of the energy used and or receives a payment for energy sold back to the grid.

What if I am selling a property with solar panels?

Unfortunately when you are selling a property which has the benefit of solar panels, there is a lot of documentation required and this can delay a conveyancing transaction.

If you are looking to sell a property with solar panels what documents are needed to sell your property and prior to marketing or at the point of marketing you should locate the following:

Required for either leased or owned system:

• Planning consent if required: Most systems where the solar panel have not been erected above the ridgeline are permitted development and do not require planning. However, if the property is in a conservation area or permitted development does not apply to your property or area it is likely that planning may be required.
• Roof Survey: These are usually undertaken prior to installation confirming that the roof had adequate support for the system.
• Building Regulation approval: Building Regulation approval may not be required for the installation of the system unless strengthening works were required for support but, a building regulation certification for the electrical works would be required. Electrical certification is usually self-certified and you should have a certificate from one of the competent person schemes under which the works are certified such as NAPIT or NICEIC. The certification of the electrical side of things usually is comprised of two documents, a Domestic Electrical Installation Certificate or Electrical Certificate installation/modification certificate (usually provided by the installer to the home owner at the time of installation) and the Building Regulation Compliance Certificate (usually sent to the homeowner by the scheme provider e.g. NAPIT or NICEIC.
• Covenant consent if required: If your deeds require consent to any external alterations covenant consent may be required. Most installers do not deal with this and leave it to the home owner and this is often overlooked. Do not worry if it has been though, an indemnity policy may be able to be arranged at a small cost.
• MCS certificate: An MCS certificate is proof that your installation has been designed, installed and commissioned to the highest standard using only MCS certified products by an MCS certified installer. This is usually provider to the home owner within 10 days after the installation.

If the solar panel system is owned outright:

• Warranty and Guarantees: most panels, inverters and batteries carry a long guarantee from 10-25years. You may not be issued with separate guarantees so will need to locate a copy of the site survey and quotation and invoice giving details of the products used and guarantees available.
• Feed in Tariff FIT: If your system is an old system which benefits from a Feed in Tariff FIT you will need to obtain the necessary form to transfer the benefit to the new buyer and obtain details on how to obtain the FIT payments and any meter readings for the benefit of the buyer.
• Finance: If you took out any finance on the systems and any remains outstanding this will have to be discharged on completion, so obtain a settlement figure and provide details to your solicitor for payment.
• Maintenance: If there is a service or maintenance contract obtain a copy and find out whether it can be assigned to a new buyer.

If the solar panel system is leased:

• Lease: You will need a copy of the lease, your solicitor can usually obtain this from the Land Registry for a small fee so don’t panic if you cannot find it. If you do hold the original forward this on to your solicitor. We would recommend you instruct your solicitor at the point of marketing and ask them to check that the lease is UK Finance compliant. There are many early leases which are not and a deed of variation will be required. This can take some time and its best to start the process early if it does require variation.
• Landlord and Tenant notices: known as LTBT1 and LTBT2 notices excluding sections 24-28 Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 from the lease removing the requirement for a new lease at the end of the term of the original lease.

How we can help

Whether you are looking to buy, sell or re-mortgage your home, we have a friendly, dedicated and specialist property team that can assist you wherever you are based.

Get an instant quote on the website today.

Location 

Our Solicitors are able to provide expert advice across the country with a network of offices based in: Chesterfield, Nottingham, Mansfield and Derby.

How to get in contact 

Our team are on hand to help you and can assist wherever you are based. Please call us for a no-obligation, initial discussion on 0330 333 2613 or email enquiries@elliotmather.co.uk and we will call or email you back.

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