Insurance, mortgages and rent-a-roof: 4 questions answered
Telling your home insurer and mortgage lender about solar panels, and what to know before signing a rent-a-roof deal.
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Rules are changing quickly. Every answer lists its official sources and when it was last reviewed. General information, not legal, electrical or financial advice. See how we check and what has changed recently.
Do I need to tell my home insurer before installing solar panels?
You should. Insurers such as LV= say fitting panels is a major change to your home that could affect your cover and premium, and the Energy Saving Trust advises contacting your buildings and contents insurer before installing. For plug-in solar the government specification makes the user responsible for checking whether it affects their insurance.
Often, if they are fixed to the home. Some insurers, for example LV=, say they cover panels as part of the permanent fixtures of the property, but every policy has limits. Check that your sum insured is enough to rebuild the home including the panels, and read the policy wording for exclusions. Free-standing or plug-in kits may be treated differently, so ask your insurer.
Do I need my mortgage lender's permission to fit solar panels?
Check your mortgage terms. A fixed installation can count as an alteration to the property, so lenders often expect to be told or asked first, and some will not proceed unless the installation is MCS-certified. Requirements vary by lender, so ask yours before you sign an installation contract.
What if a company offers free solar panels in return for renting my roof?
Rent-a-roof deals involve granting a long lease of your roof space. UK Finance's lender template shows lenders expect to be asked to consent to the installation, to the lease and to its registration, and that the borrower must tell their buildings insurer and be warned that the lease is a long-term, legally binding agreement. Speak to your lender and take independent legal advice before you sign.
