Are Houses with Solar Panels Harder to Sell?

Solar panels are now a familiar sight across the UK, as with rising energy bills, greater environmental awareness and government incentives, many homeowners have invested in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. But when it comes to putting your house on the market, are houses with solar panels easier or harder to sell?

In the UK housing market, solar panels sit somewhere in the middle. While they are rarely a major disadvantage to a home, they are not always the selling boost homeowners expect either. Whether a solar panel helps a house sell ultimately depends on ownership, documentation and buyer type.

For some sellers, houses with solar panels can be a genuine selling point. Whereas for others, particularly in situations where panels are leased or poorly documented, they actually can introduce delays, uncertainty and buyer hesitation.

If you’re considering buying or selling a home with solar panels, this guide explains the reasons why a house with solar panels may be harder to sell, the difference between owned vs leased solar panels and how you can sell your house quickly.

Selling a house with solar panels

In principle, solar panels should make a property more attractive to buyers as they can reduce electricity bills, improve a home’s EPC rating. In a market increasingly shaped by energy efficiency and sustainability, this is particularly appealing to environmentally conscious buyers.

However, UK buyers still tend to be cautious. Many are unsure how solar panels work, what they cost to maintain and whether they might cause problems with the roof. This uncertainty can lead to hesitation, particularly among first-time buyers or those already stretching their finances.

Traditional buyers relying on mortgages are often influenced by their lender’s criteria, and this is where solar panels can sometimes complicate a sale rather than enhance it.

What is the difference between owned vs leased solar panels?

One of the most important factors to consider when selling or buying a home with solar panels is whether the solar panels are owned outright or installed under a lease agreement, commonly known as a “rent-a-roof” scheme.

Solar panels that are owned outright are generally seen as a benefit to the home as the homeowner will receive the full advantage of reduced energy bills and, in some cases, income from legacy Feed-in Tariffs. As long as paperwork is in order, most buyers and lenders are comfortable with this arrangement.

However, leased solar panels are more problematic in the UK market. Popular in the late 2000s and early 2010s, leased solar panels allowed homeowners to install panels at no upfront cost and, in return, the solar panel company retains ownership of the panels and the rights to the income they generate, often for 20 to 25 years.

Mortgage lenders can be cautious with leased solar panels because the lease is secured against the roof and if the lease does not meet the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ requirements, buyers may struggle to secure financing. This can reduce the pool of potential buyers and slow down the sale process altogether.

Do solar panels reduce property value?

Contrary to some fears, solar panels do not usually reduce the value of a home. When installed correctly and owned outright, they may even add modest value by improving energy efficiency and lowering running costs.

That being said, solar panels do not always increase value either and UK buyers tend to price homes based on location, size and condition first, with solar panels often viewed as a secondary benefit rather than a key driver. In slower markets, or where buyers are wary of future maintenance costs, solar panels can be seen as a complication rather than an upgrade.

For homeowners needing a quick or certain sale, perception matters just as much as actual value.

The process of buying or selling a house with solar panels

Solar panels themselves are rarely the direct problem, it’s the challenges that usually arise from missing documentation, unclear ownership or roof-related concerns.

Buyers and their solicitors often ask for evidence of planning permission, building regulations compliance and MCS certification. If these documents cannot be produced, the sale can be delayed while indemnity policies are arranged, or further checks are carried out.

There may also be concerns about roof condition. Buyers can sometimes worry about damage beneath the panels or the cost of removal if roof repairs are needed in future. While these fears are not always justified, they can still influence negotiations and timelines.

However, for a cash house buyer, like sell house fast, solar panels are rarely a deal-breaker because we are not reliant on mortgage approval, issues around lender criteria and roof leases are far less restrictive.

A professional cash buyer will assess the property as a whole, rather than focusing narrowly on whether solar panels fit a lender’s checklist. Owned panels, leased panels and even incomplete documentation can usually be accommodated, provided the overall deal makes sense, as we buy any house in any condition.

This flexibility is particularly valuable for sellers who have struggled to progress a sale on the open market due to buyer drop-outs, solicitor delays or mortgage refusals linked to solar panel arrangements.

Sell a house with solar panels quickly

For traditional house sales, solar panels can introduce questions that, in turn, slow things down. For cash house buyers, they are simply another feature to factor into a fair, straightforward offer. If speed and certainty are priorities, selling to a cash house buyer can be an effective solution as solar panels, whether owned or leased, do not typically prevent a cash sale from proceeding.

For homeowners dealing with financial pressure, relocation or an inherited property, there is no need to wait for buyer mortgage approval, no risk of lenders changing their stance mid-transaction and far less sensitivity to technical legal issues. Get your quick and easy free cash offer now.