Buying a house with solar panels: what to check first

Why buying a house with solar panels needs extra checks

More than 1.5 million UK homes now have solar panels that make renewable power. Because of this, more people in the UK think about buying a house with solar panels when they move. Solar panels can help cut down the money you pay for electricity. They can boost your EPC rating, too. With time, you save money.

But there is some extra paperwork to deal with, and people have questions about who really owns the solar panels. You need to talk with the insurance company and see what care is needed for the panels. When buying a UK home with solar panels, buyers should know about these things before putting in an offer.

Doing the right checks early can help you stay away from surprise costs later on. It also lets you see what you will get before you buy. When you do this, you have all the info you need before you move ahead.

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What to check first: How old are the solar panels?

Ask when the solar panels were installed

Solar panels can last for 25 years or more. Some older solar panels may not make as much power after a few years. This is caused by normal use over time. If you have questions, it is a good idea to talk to the seller.

• Installation date
• Panel brand and model
• If the system has ever needed repairs
• If shading from trees is different now compared to when it was installed

Inspect the physical condition

Look for:

• Cracked or discoloured panels
• Corrosion on mounting brackets
• Loose wiring
• Bird nesting or debris
• Signs of roof stress

Most new solar systems let you check how they work online. You can ask the seller to show you some recent reports about how much power the system made. This can help you see if it is working well.

Check inverter age

Inverters take DC power from the solar panels and turn it into AC power. This is the kind you can use in your home. They often work for 8 to 12 years.

If your inverter is over ten years old, you might need to get a new one soon. The cost for this can be from £600 to £1,200.

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Essential paperwork every buyer should request

Having the right documentation is very important. If you do not have the needed paperwork, you can have problems with your insurance. You may also not get approved for a mortgage. This can stop you from getting payments from plans like FiT or SEG.

Ask the seller or installer for:

MCS certificate

It shows that the system is set up by UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme rules. This is needed if you want to get FiT and SEG.

DNO approval letter

This text means that the Distribution Network Operator has said yes to connect the system to the grid.

Electrical installation certificate

It shows that the system was set up by a good electrician. He did it the right way, and it was safe.

Warranty documents

Check if warranties:

• These are still good.
• They help protect the inverter.
• A homeowner can give them to a new owner.

Some warranties need you to tell them if you sell your property. You should do this within 30 to 60 days after the sale.

Proof of ownership

One of the most important checks. Is the system:

• Is it owned by them?
• Is it being paid for with a loan?
• Is it given to another solar company to use?

A leased system can change things when you want to sell your place, get a new mortgage, or buy insurance. So, it is best to know what you need early to avoid problems later.

Building Control approval

For older homes, this means the system was added the right way. It also shows that it meets today’s safety rules.

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Clarify ownership: Do the homeowners actually own the panels?

This is one of the main reasons why people decide to leave.

Owned outright

If the panels are owned outright:

• All the energy savings will be for the homeowner.
• You can claim Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments.
• It is easy to take care of.
• Mortgages and insurance will be simpler.

Leased panels

Many homes got solar panels put up during 2010 to 2016. This happened because of “free solar” deals. A different company owns the panels, not the people who live in the houses.

• The homeowner gets Feed-in Tariff (FiT) money.
• The homeowner needs to sign a legal lease for the roof.
• The homeowner might need to look after the roof.
• The homeowner must say yes before any work is done on the roof.

Mortgage lenders may be careful when it comes to solar leases. So, for this reason, you need to check early if the system is leased or not.

Feed-in Tariff (FiT) payments

If you put in solar panels at your place before March 2019, you may be able to get FiT payments. These payments:

• The system owner is the person who has these things.
• The panels go to the buyer only if they are owned by that person.
• A real mcs certificate and FiT contract are needed.

Ask for the original FiT paperwork. This will help you see if you can get it.

Understand the impact on property value and mortgage approval

Solar panels can raise a home’s value

Properties with their own solar systems usually get:

• Lower electricity bills
• Higher EPC ratings
• More appeal to people who care about the environment
• Possible SEG payments

But leased systems complicate things

Mortgage lenders sometimes:

• Ask for more documentation.
• Turn down applications for homes that have tough third-party solar leases.
• Request legal advice about roof rights and what people must do.

Your solicitor should check the lease for solar right at the start of the conveyancing process.

Insurance considerations

Check whether the panels are:

• The current home insurance covers this.
• It is listed as “fixed installations”.
• It may not be covered for storm or accidental damage.

If you have the inverter as part of the electrical equipment group, you might need to get more cover.

Roof condition: The most overlooked issue for buyers

Check the roof load and structural integrity

Your surveyor should check:

• The roof is flat. It does not go down or bend.
• There are not any tiles that are broken under the rails where the solar mounts go.
• The flashings are tight.
• The waterproofing still works well.

If the solar system is not put together the right way, leaks might happen later. You could also get some problems in the structure after some years.

Confirm the mounting type

Ask whether the system uses:

• On-roof (most common)
• In-roof / integrated systems
• Flat-roof ballast mounts
• Ground-mounted arrays

If the tiles or panels in an integrated system break, the repair work can be harder to do. These systems often need more steps for fixing things.

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What to do after moving in: inspections, transfers and registration

Schedule a professional solar inspection

A qualified installer should examine:

• The inverter has to be in good working order.
• You need to check panel output levels.
• The cabling and isolators need to work well.
• The mounting setup must be strong.
• There should not be any new shading changes.
• The monitoring software setup needs to be correct.

Register warranties

Some manufacturers require you to:

• Update the ownership.
• Give proof that the property transfer is done.
• Register the serial number.

Set up smart monitoring

Solar monitoring apps allow you to track:

• Daily generation
• Panel performance
• Inverter issues
• System updates

Update SEG payments

If you want to send power to the grid, sign up for the Smart Export Guarantee with:

• British Gas
• E.ON
• Octopus
• ScottishPower
• Shell Energy
• Other SEG licensees

You’ll need:

• MCS certificate
• Proof of ownership
• Export meter details
• DNO approval
• Online account registration

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Should you upgrade or add battery storage?

If the system has been there for over eight to ten years, you may want to think about upgrades.

Benefits of upgrading the inverter

Newer hybrid inverters support:

• Battery storage lets you save power for when you need it.
• Smart scheduling can help you choose the best time to use your devices.
• Time-of-use tariffs let you pay less to use power at certain hours.
• All these things make your system work better and use less power.

Adding a battery

Battery storage can:

• Use more of the energy that you make.
• Use less electricity from the grid.
• Try to avoid the times when electricity costs more than its regular price.
• Make sure you have extra power if the power goes out.

Batteries can be priced from £3,000 to £7,000. You should check the energy you use and find out the tariff you are on. This way, you can see how long it will take to get your money back.

Buying a house with solar panels and the conveyancing process

Your solicitor should:

• Check who owns it and read through the FiT/SEG contracts.
• Make sure Building Control has given its approval.
• Look at the DNO notifications.
• Check if the installer has the right credentials, like MCS, NICEIC, or NAPIT.
• See if you can transfer the warranty.
• Point out what the mortgage lender needs.

A solicitor who understands a lot about homes that use solar can help to stop big delays.

Additional checks to consider before buying a home with solar panels

When you think about buying a new home with a solar panel system, you need to do more than read the paperwork. Take time to check the house, look at the solar PV setup, and see if there are promises or deals from the seller that will pass to you. Doing this will help you avoid high maintenance costs later. You will know who owns the panels and find out if the energy production from the solar panel system is good. This will make you feel more certain about the solar pv in your new home.

Assess available roof space and panel layout

Even if the setup is good now, it’s smart to know the roof space you have. This helps you plan for the future. You might want to get some upgrades, like a bigger solar PV system, more batteries, or an electric vehicle charger.

Make sure all panels get as much sunlight as possible. Look behind the panels and check if trees, chimneys, or a loft extension could block the sun.

Homes in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland all follow the same main rules. But, the planning rules for solar installations on roofs may be a bit different in each area. So, it is good to read local guides if you plan to change or add solar installations at your place in the future.

Review lease agreements and system contracts

If the seller talks about a lease, ask them for a full copy of the lease. Give this to your solicitor or conveyancer. They will read all the terms for you. In some older roof schemes, the homeowner may need to look after the roof and pay for any repairs. Sometimes, the homeowner must get permission before doing repairs or let a power company come in to do work. The things in a lease can have an effect on a new owner too. Make sure that these details match what your lender needs and be in full accordance with all lender rules.

Your estate agent must see if the old paperwork for FiT or SEG can be used for the new property.

Consider the environmental and financial benefits

Solar panels are good for the environment. They help us use fewer fossil fuels. This leads to less carbon going into the air. Solar panels also take some pressure off the national grid. Many people feel the value right away when they buy solar panels.

• Over time, you will pay less for energy costs.
• You can get SEG payments.
• You will know what your bills are.
• You may get financial benefits if your EPC rating gets better.

Most people who own homes get good things. But, it is a good idea to know about the possible drawbacks too. Some of these are needing to replace the inverter or fix your roof. When you know about these things, you can plan for them.

Check the installation company and get expert advice

If you can, get the name of the original installation company. See if they give inspection reports or have plans to help keep things working. A good installer can give expert advice about your solar setup. They can tell you about the normal lifespan and help with checks for safety. The installer can also say if upgrades would be good for your setup.

This is also a good time to ask about:

• The system can work with new hybrid inverters.
• You can use more batteries with it.
• It be set up to use with EV chargers.
• You can set it up to send energy to energy companies.
• The installation is done by UK rules that are used now.

Confirm responsibilities if the property is rented

If you are buying a home and plan to rent it out, make sure to say who will manage the solar PV system. Tell if the landlord or tenant should clean it, check things, or fix the inverter. Say who to call if there is a problem. Write this clearly in the tenancy agreement. This lets everyone know what to do about the solar pv system. It also helps make things easy for both sides.

Create a checklist for your solicitor

To keep things simple and clear, make a short checklist for your solicitor or conveyancer. This will help you and them avoid trouble later.

• Ownership papers for the panels
• FiT or SEG contract papers
• Building Control approval papers
• What you need to do for a warranty transfer
• The way to get to the roof
• Any lease agreements that concern the roof
• A note from the right lender that they say the system is okay

Having these things ready makes the legal process move faster. It cuts down the chance of delay, especially on a busy Monday or if you have a full schedule.

Correct as of 03 December 2025

FAQs about buying a house with solar panels