link to ringley website
  • Home
  • About Us
    About us & leadership Awards Savings for Clients Case Studies Green Management Strategies Market Overview Leasehold Reform Campaign Money Back Guarantee
  • Our Services
    • Asset Management
      • UK Asset Management
      • Project Monitoring
      • ESG Consultancy & Implementation
      • PropTech & Living Sectors Platform
      • Marketing Insights
      • Resident Journey
      • Stabilised Assets
      • UK Build to Rent
      • UK Later Living
      • UK Co-Living
      • UK Student Accommodation
      • UK Single Family Housing
    • Block Management
      • Overview - London
      • Overview - Wales & West
      • Overview - Southwest
      • Right to Manage
      • Freehold Management
      • Resident Management
      • Estates of Houses
      • Ground Rent Collection
      • How to change agent?
      • Block Management Services
      • Can't afford an agent?
      • Legal & Tribunals
      • Top 10 Tips
      • Report an incident
    • Commercial Management
    • Law
      • Overview
      • Meet The Team
      • Recommendations
      • Right to Manage
      • Lease Extensions
      • Freehold Purchase
      • Absentee Freeholder
      • Court Appointed Manager
      • Conveyancing - Wales
      • Conveyancing - England
      • Service Charge/Rent Arrears Recovery
      • Company Secretary
    • Property Valuations
      • Overview
      • Loan Security
      • Company Accounts
      • Lease Extensions
      • Freehold Purchase
      • Rent Reviews
      • Ground Rent Investment
      • Development Valuations
      • Expert Witness & Litigation
      • Tax, Trusts & Accounts Valuations
      • Trading Business
      • Compulsory Purchase
      • Residential Valuations
    • Engineering
      • Overview
      • EWS1 Consultancy
      • Asbestos
      • Contract Administration
      • Fire Assesment
      • Homebuyer Survey
      • Building Survey
      • Schedules
      • Party Wall Matters
      • Principle Designer
      • Disability Access Audits
      • Small Building Works
      • Fire Door Inspection
      • Insurance Valuations
    • Property Accounting
      • Finance
      • Quote For Service Charge Accounts?
      • Property Accounting Law
      • Accounting Updates
      • To Audit or Not?
    • Plant & Facilities Management
      • Plant & Facilities Management
      • Fire Door Inspection APP
      • Fire Safety Update
    • Site Staffing Solutions
      • Ringley Integrated Site Staff Solutions
    • Leasehold Guidance
      • Overview
      • Right to Manage
      • Purchasing The Freehold
      • Court Appointed Manager
      • Absentee Freeholder
  • Insights
    Asset Management Articles Block Management Blogs Publications BTR Rental Market Blogs Customer Insights FAQ - Ask Our Experts Insurance Calculator
  • ESG
  • E-books
  • Get In Touch
  •    
  • Work with us
  •  
  • Portal Login
Solar panels on flats - what you need to know

Written by: Mary-Anne Bowring 02/09/2020
  7423       5
Responsive image

Could Solar Panels Work for You?

Following on from last week's tips for greener homes, today we're taking a closer look at installing solar panels on blocks of flats. At first glance, there are plenty of advantages—cheaper electricity, the ability to sell excess energy back to the grid, and environmental benefits. In some cases, government subsidies may even be available to help with installation costs. But as we pointed out in our earlier blog, the process may not be as straightforward as it seems.

Key Considerations Before Installation

If you're managing a block that is interested in solar panels, there are several key factors to consider. The roof’s suitability is crucial—does it face the right direction, and is it large enough? Planning permission will also be required before proceeding.

Legal and Leasehold Issues

As with most aspects of block management, the starting point is the lease. Who is legally responsible for the roof? Who pays for installation? Property lawyers suggest that solar panels are considered "improvements" rather than "repairs," which means they may not be covered by servicechargesorted.co.uk/blogs/digital-solution-can-improve-the-whole-process-by-making-it-faster-and-more-transparent'>service charges. Unless the lease explicitly states otherwise, the cost cannot be charged to the servicechargesorted.co.uk/blogs/digital-solution-can-improve-the-whole-process-by-making-it-faster-and-more-transparent'>service charge fund, meaning flat owners would need to volunteer to pay their share. If not everyone agrees, the block may have to structure the cost as a loan.

Ongoing Maintenance and Infrastructure

Once installed, who will maintain the panels, and who will pay for it? Lease agreements may not always allow for running cables through the block to support solar panels. These are crucial questions that need to be addressed before moving forward.

.

What Happens to the Surplus Energy Profits?

If your block generates surplus electricity, what happens to the revenue? Many might assume the funds can simply be added to the reserve fund, but that’s not always the case. Some leases may not permit reserve funds, while others may restrict how funds can be used. Instead, any profits from solar energy may need to be held as company funds on behalf of the block.

Getting Legal Advice Before Installation

While the potential benefits of solar panels make them worth considering, the legal and financial challenges cannot be ignored. Before selecting a supplier, remember that solar companies are unlikely to understand leasehold restrictions that apply to your block. If you need help navigating your lease and ensuring compliance, consult legal experts like Ringley Law. Their experience can help ensure your solar panel project is legally sound and financially viable. Would you consider solar panels for your block? Why not discuss the idea with your fellow residents and explore the possibilities?



Property Management Block Management
POPULAR POSTS

Solar panels on flats - what you need to know

Is noise getting you down?

Ground Rent: Fines for Landlords Who Charge Ground Rent

High Court: Right to Rent does breach human rights

Landlords beware - Don't believe everything you read!

RECENT POSTS

UK Leasehold Reform: Moving Towards Commonhold Ownership

Government to Introduce Single Construction Regulator by 2028 in Response to Grenfell Inquiry

Real Estate Experts Urge House of Lords to Amend Renters Reform Bill

Real Estate Developers Boost Investment in UK Student Accommodation Sector

Changes to Right to Manage Rules Announced Under Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024



Blogs related:

ASSET MANAGEMENT
Stamp duty: yes, overseas investors should pay more
Buying UK property is a privilege that should be paid forYesterday, the Conservative Party launched its 2019 General election manifesto, setting out the policies it will pursue if it is re-elected next month. Tucked away in the section on housing delivery is the promise, announced last week, to introduce ?a stamp duty surcharge on non-UK resident buyers?.The plan is to levy an additional 3% stamp duty on non-UK property buyers, including compa...

Read


ASSET MANAGEMENT
How to lease: will the new guide help homebuyers?
The government has released a new guide for homebuyers, similar to the "How to Rent" guide for tenants, explaining leasehold properties in a clear and accessible way.

Read


ASSET MANAGEMENT
Building safety back in the spotlight
Once again a residential block has gone up in flames. This time ? thankfully ? no one was killed. But it took 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines from the London Fire Brigade to get the huge blaze, at a block in Barking, under control. It seems that wooden balconies ? which residents had previously raised concerns about ? were responsible for spreading the fire at a terrifying speed and, once again, questions are being asked about the safety ...

Read


Meet our Expert Property Commentators

Mary-Anne Bowring FTPI FRICS FARLA FCABE Founder/Head of Asset Management

Strategic partnerships, holistic delivery/ opportunities, growth, value engineering, thought leadership

Ian Barber MD BTR Mobilisation & Leasing

Runs HQ & site lease-up teams. Drives rent pricing, mobilisation, marketing, happy residents!

Jon Curtis MRICS Head of Building Engineering

Chartered Building Surveyor. Lectures on EWS1 & building safety. Runs CapEx programmes.

Kate Robinson MTPI MD Blocks/FM Management (London Region)

Master plan setup, ops and staffing and resident engagement. ISO45001 champion.

Lee Harle Partner Ringley Law

Plot conveyancing. Debt litigation. Group Company Secretary.

Anthony Kingdon MIRPM AssocRICS MD Blocks/FM Management (North Region)

Stakeholder engagement. Mixed tenure specialist. Budget management. Plant audit, PPM compliance.

Chris Georgalis MRICS Head of Commercial Valuation

Chartered Valuer. Rental valuations: retail, leisure. IRR modelling and valuations for secured lending. Compulsory purchase & rent reviews

Nichola Pughe MRICS Head of Residential Valuation

Chartered Valuer. Rental development & mixed use valuations, IRR modelling. Leasehold enfranchisement specialist

Natalie Birmingham Helpdesk Support Manager

Trainer & Helpdesk Manager: people, systems,contractors. ISO45001 supply chain accreditation.

Steve Norman Planning Director

Land due diligence (opportunities & constraints) Has contributed to a number of award winning schemes.


inshights shared - link to planetrent blogs

Landlord blog
Read landlord blog
inshights shared - link to ringley blogs

Property blogs
Read property blogs
inshights shared - link to ringley articles

Property articles
Read property articles
inshights shared - link to ringley ebooks

E-books
Read E-books

link to ringley social media facebook link to ringley social media instagram link to ringley social media linkedin link to ringley social media x-twitter
link to ringley social media x-twitter for small device
link to ringley social media linkedin for small device
link to ringley social media instagram for small device
link to ringley social media facebook for small device
  • Ringley Group
  • About us
  • CSR / ESG
  • BusyLiving
  • PlanetRent
  • Talk to us
  • Careers
  • Ask a Question
  • Insights
  • Articles
  • Blogs
  • Subscribe
  • BTR & PRS Buildings
  • What we do
  • Asset Management
  • Block Management
  • Facilities Management
  • Property Law
  • Surveying / Valuation
  • Building Engineering
  • Financial Services
  • Managing Agents
  • Block Management Locations
  • Co-working
  • Renting & Letting
  • Right to Manage
  • Contractor Management
  • Space to Work
  • Fees and Client Money Protections
  • Email: solutions@ringley.co.uk

  • Emergency line 1: 0207 428 2056

  • Emergency line 2: 0207 267 2900

  • Report an incident
  • Our Offices
  • London
  • Ringley House
  • 1 Castle Road
  • London
  • NW1 8PR
  • T: 0207 267 2900
  • London
  • Ringley House
  • 47 Rochester Place
  • London
  • NW1 9JL
  • Manchester
  • 11 Swan Street
  • Northern Quarter
  • Manchester
  • M4 5JJ
  • T: 0330 174 7777
  • Cardiff
  • 122 West Bute Street
  • Cardiff Bay
  • Cardiff
  • CF10 5LJ
  • T: 0330 174 7747
Privacy Policy
Ringley Staff Dashboard
link to ifsm website link to tpi website link to tpos website link to rics website link to ukgbc website link to government security industry authority website link to alep website

All content © copyright 2025. Ringley Limited. All Rights reserved. Ringley Limited, incorporated and registered in England and wales. Registered office: Ringley House, 1 Castle Road, London, NW1 8PR. Company No. 03302438
Terms of use | Privacy Policy | Modern slavery act | COVID-19 risk assessment