Rent-a-Roof Solar Panels UK: Leases, Ownership & What Happens Now
Rent-a-roof solar schemes allowed thousands of UK homeowners to have solar panels installed with little or no upfront cost. In return, a solar company typically retained ownership of the panels and benefited from Feed-in Tariff payments under a long-term agreement involving the homeowner's roof.
Many of those agreements are still running today. If you've inherited one, want to sell your house, need roof repairs or simply want to know who owns the panels, this guide explains the main issues to investigate.
What Is a Rent-a-Roof Solar Scheme?
Rent-a-roof was a model used particularly during the earlier years of the UK Feed-in Tariff scheme.
Instead of buying the solar panels, a homeowner allowed a solar company to install its equipment on the roof. The household could use electricity generated by the system, while the company owning the solar installation generally received the Feed-in Tariff income.
To protect the company's ability to operate the system for many years, the arrangement could include a long-term lease or contractual rights relating to the roof.
How Did Rent-a-Roof Solar Work?
Panels Installed
A solar company funded the installation rather than the homeowner paying the full upfront cost of the system.
Homeowner Used Electricity
The household could benefit from some of the electricity generated by the panels while it was being produced.
Company Owned the System
The third-party company generally retained ownership of the solar installation.
Company Received FIT Income
The installation owner commonly benefited from the Feed-in Tariff payments associated with the system.
Roof Rights Were Granted
The agreement could give the company rights to use and access part of the homeowner's roof.
Long Agreement
Many arrangements were designed to continue for around 20 to 25 years, although individual contracts vary.
Why Were Rent-a-Roof Schemes Popular?
The attraction for homeowners was straightforward: solar electricity without having to fund the full cost of buying a solar PV system.
For the solar company, the economics were different. It funded and owned the installation and could receive income through the government's Feed-in Tariff scheme over a long period.
The Feed-in Tariff closed to new applicants in 2019, so these old agreements are a legacy of a very different UK solar market.
Today, the main questions are increasingly about ownership, maintenance, property sales, roof repairs and what happens when these agreements eventually reach the end of their term.
Do I Own Rent-a-Roof Solar Panels?
Usually the whole point of the original arrangement was that the solar company, rather than the homeowner, owned the installation.
However, don't rely on the phrase “rent-a-roof” alone. You need to check your actual agreement because ownership structures and contractual terms can vary.
If you've bought a property and don't know whether the panels belong to you, start with our dedicated guide: Who Owns My Solar Panels?
Where a FIT-accredited installation has unclear ownership, Ofgem also provides an Ownership Register Query process that can help property owners identify the registered FIT generator.
How Long Does a Rent-a-Roof Agreement Last?
Many historic solar roof agreements were created for approximately 20 to 25 years.
That means a system installed in the early 2010s may still have several years remaining on its original agreement.
Do not assume the contract has ended simply because the solar company has not contacted you recently or because the panels are now old.
Find the original agreement and establish:
- the date the agreement started;
- the exact length of the term;
- whether ownership has changed;
- what happens when the term expires;
- whether the agreement can be ended early; and
- whether a buyout mechanism exists.
What Problems Can Rent-a-Roof Solar Cause Today?
Selling the House
A buyer, conveyancer and mortgage lender may need to examine the lease and understand the remaining obligations.
Remortgaging
Mortgage lenders can have requirements relating to roof-space leases for solar PV installations.
Roof Repairs
Major roofing work may require panels to be removed, raising questions about permission, access and who pays.
Failed Equipment
An older inverter or another component may need replacing, but responsibility can depend on the agreement.
Company Changes
The original solar business may no longer exist and ownership may have passed to another company.
Changing the System
Adding a battery, replacing equipment or altering the array may require permission where you do not own the system.
Can Rent-a-Roof Solar Make a House Harder to Sell?
An existing solar lease can add another issue for the conveyancer, buyer and mortgage lender to examine during a property sale.
The buyer will normally want to know:
- who owns the solar panels;
- how long remains on the agreement;
- what rights the solar company has;
- who is responsible for maintenance;
- what happens if roof repairs are needed;
- whether the agreement transfers with the property; and
- whether their mortgage lender accepts the arrangement.
This doesn't mean that every property with rent-a-roof solar is unsellable. The important issue is identifying the arrangement early enough for it to be properly considered during the transaction.
What If the Rent-a-Roof Company Has Gone Bust?
Do not assume that the panels automatically become yours.
Ofgem explains that third-party solar installations can be sold between companies, particularly when businesses fail. The current owner may therefore be different from the company named on old paperwork.
This is important because the underlying solar agreement or ownership interest may continue even though the original company has disappeared.
What If My Roof Needs Repairing?
This can be one of the biggest practical issues with an old rent-a-roof installation.
Roof repairs may require panels to be temporarily removed so a roofer can access tiles, felt, battens or the underlying roof structure.
But if the solar panels belong to another company, you should not assume that you can simply arrange for them to be removed.
Check the agreement for provisions covering:
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Who can remove the panels? | The agreement may specify who is permitted to work on the solar installation. |
| Who pays? | Removal and reinstatement costs may be allocated under the contract. |
| How much notice is required? | The installation owner may need advance notice before roof work begins. |
| What about lost generation? | The agreement may contain provisions relating to periods when the system cannot generate. |
| Who reinstalls the panels? | Reinstallation may need to meet technical and contractual requirements. |
Check the actual agreement before assuming who is responsible for any of these costs.
Can I Buy Out a Rent-a-Roof Solar Agreement?
Potentially, but there is no universal buyout right or standard price that applies to every old solar agreement.
Some agreements may provide a mechanism for purchasing the installation or ending the arrangement early. In other cases, a buyout may need to be negotiated with the current owner.
Before paying a buyout figure, establish exactly what the payment achieves.
Questions worth asking include:
- Will I become the legal owner of the panels?
- Will I also own the inverter and associated equipment?
- What happens to any remaining FIT income?
- Will the roof lease or associated rights be formally ended?
- Who deals with Land Registry documentation where required?
- Are existing warranties transferred?
- Are there any additional legal or administration fees?
Can I Get Out of a Rent-a-Roof Agreement?
That depends on the wording of the individual agreement.
A long-term solar lease cannot simply be assumed to be cancellable because the homeowner no longer wants the panels.
The contract may contain provisions dealing with early termination, buyout, property alterations, roof repairs or specific circumstances in which the agreement can be ended.
If you're considering paying a substantial sum to terminate an agreement, it can be sensible to have the documentation reviewed independently before making a decision.
What Happens When a Rent-a-Roof Agreement Ends?
The answer is contained in the individual contract rather than one universal rule applying to every rent-a-roof installation.
Possible end-of-term arrangements may deal with:
- transfer of ownership of the equipment;
- removal of the solar installation;
- continued operation under a new arrangement;
- access to the property;
- making good the roof after removal; and
- the end of any associated lease or contractual rights.
As early rent-a-roof systems age, this is going to become increasingly important for homeowners with agreements approaching their expiry dates.
What If the Solar Panels or Inverter Are Getting Old?
A solar system installed during the early Feed-in Tariff years may now contain equipment that is well into its working life.
Traditional string inverters may need replacement before the panels themselves reach the end of their useful life.
If the system is third-party owned, establish who is responsible for the repair before paying for work yourself.
If you own the system, see:
I Bought a House With Rent-a-Roof Solar – What Should I Do?
Find the Lease
Check the conveyancing documents supplied when you bought the property and identify the solar agreement.
Identify the Current Owner
Don't assume the company named on an old lease still owns the installation. Ownership may have changed.
Check the Remaining Term
Work out when the agreement started, how long it lasts and when it is due to expire.
Understand Maintenance Responsibility
Establish who is supposed to repair the inverter, panels and associated equipment.
Check Roof Repair Provisions
Find out what happens if the roof needs work and whether panel removal creates additional costs.
Read the End-of-Term Section
Find out what is supposed to happen to the panels and roof rights when the agreement eventually expires.
Old Rent-a-Roof Agreement? Understand It Before You Change Anything
The most important thing is not to treat an old rent-a-roof system as though it were an ordinary homeowner-owned solar installation.
Establish who owns the panels, who receives the Feed-in Tariff income, how long the agreement has left and what it says about repairs, selling the property, buyouts and the end of the term.
If you don't even know who currently owns the installation, start with: Who Owns My Solar Panels?
For the wider subject, see our Solar Panel Contracts, Leases & Ownership UK guide.
Rent-a-Roof Solar FAQs
What is a rent-a-roof solar scheme?
It is an arrangement under which a third party typically funded and owned solar panels installed on a homeowner's roof. The homeowner could use electricity generated by the panels while the installation owner generally received the Feed-in Tariff income.
Do I own solar panels installed under a rent-a-roof scheme?
Usually the installation was third-party owned, but you should check the specific agreement rather than assume the ownership position.
How long are rent-a-roof solar leases?
Many historic arrangements were created for around 20 to 25 years, although the exact term depends on the individual agreement.
Can I sell my house with rent-a-roof solar panels?
Potentially, yes. However, the buyer, conveyancer and mortgage lender may need to review the existing solar agreement and its remaining obligations.
Can I buy out a rent-a-roof agreement?
Some agreements may permit a buyout or early termination, while others may require negotiation with the current owner. There is no universal buyout price or process.
Who pays to remove solar panels for roof repairs?
This depends on the individual agreement. Check its provisions covering maintenance, temporary removal, access, reinstatement and costs before arranging roof work.
What happens if the rent-a-roof company goes bust?
The panels do not automatically become the homeowner's property. Third-party solar installations can change ownership, so the current owner should be identified before the equipment is altered or removed.
What happens when a 20 or 25-year solar lease ends?
The original agreement should set out the end-of-term arrangements. These may cover ownership, removal, continued operation and the termination of rights over the roof.