So you’ve found the property you were looking for and it comes with the benefit of solar panels. Is there anything you need to worry about?

Making enquiries

The main things your solicitor should look into are:

• Whether the panels are owned by the seller, or leased from a third party
• Whether necessary consents have been given
• Costs associated with the panels
• Whether there is a back up if the system fails
• Whether there is an agreement to sell back surplus electricity to the Grid

Planning restrictions

Solar panels on residential properties are within General Permitted Development rules (Building Regulations). However, if the property is in a Conservation Area further restrictions apply, and consent is likely to be required if the building is listed. Copy documents should be provided by the seller as part of the process.

Anything else?

You should also consider having a survey carried out to ease any safety fears, as the installation of solar panels may have caused problems to the structure of the property if the roof was not designed to bear the additional weight. If you are thinking of installing solar panels on your property, the above enquiries are likely to be made when you come to sell, so you should keep the important documents in a safe place.

Provided all the paperwork is in order, solar panels should not be a stumbling block for your sale or purchase.

For further legal advice on this and other issues in regard to buying and selling property, please contact our Residential Property team.

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