Selling a House with a Leased Solar Panel System in Utah
Why Solar Panels Can Complicate a Home Sale
In recent years, solar panels have become a popular upgrade for Utah homeowners. But if you leased your solar system rather than buying it outright, that lease can seriously complicate the selling process.
Most home buyers don’t want to take on someone else’s contract — and many lenders won’t approve a mortgage until the solar lease situation is resolved.
How Do Solar Panel Leases Work?
If you leased your solar panels, you’re essentially renting them from the solar company. Common lease terms include:
- 15-25 year contracts
- Monthly payments, regardless of energy use
- Liens placed on your property title
While this setup can save money on electricity, it creates legal and financial obligations that follow the house — not just the person.
The Problems Sellers Face With Leased Solar
1. Buyers May Not Want the Lease
Most buyers are turned off by monthly solar payments, especially if they don’t know how much they’ll actually save on power.
2. Lenders Can Deny the Mortgage
Some lenders consider solar leases a debt obligation, which can affect a buyer’s ability to qualify for a loan — or delay closing.
3. Title Companies Might Flag It
Solar leases often place a UCC-1 lien on your property, which needs to be paid off or transferred before closing.
4. You Might Have to Buy Out the Lease
If your buyer refuses to take over the lease, your only option may be to pay tens of thousands of dollars to buy it out before selling.
Your Options When Selling a Home with Leased Solar Panels
Option 1: Transfer the Lease to the Buyer
Most solar companies allow lease transfers — but the buyer must agree and qualify based on credit and income. This adds steps and paperwork to the process.
Downside: Some buyers will walk away instead of dealing with this added complexity.
Option 2: Buy Out the Lease Before Selling
You can pay the remaining lease balance upfront and own the panels outright. This makes your home more attractive to traditional buyers.
Downside: Buyouts can cost $15,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on how many years remain.
Option 3: Sell to a Cash Home Buyer Who Can Handle the Lease
If you want to skip the delays, financing issues, and solar headaches altogether, selling to a cash home buyer is a smart move.
We Buy Utah Homes with Leased Solar Panels
At Scout Peak Home Buyers, we purchase homes in any condition and with any complications, including:
- Leased solar panels
- Title liens or UCC filings
- Pending solar buyouts
- Buyer financing that’s fallen through
We buy houses for cash across Utah and close on your schedule — no commissions, fees, or hassles.
Real Example: Solar Lease Nightmare in Ogden
A homeowner in Ogden had a beautiful home but couldn’t find a buyer willing to take on the solar lease. After two deals fell apart, they reached out to us.
We reviewed the contract, made a cash offer that accounted for the remaining lease amount, and closed in 12 days — no inspections, no delays, no drama.
Want to Sell Without Dealing With Solar Paperwork?
If you’re ready to move but stuck with a solar lease that’s holding you back, Scout Peak Home Buyers is here to help. We handle:
- Direct communication with the solar provider
- Liens or paperwork with your title company
- Fast, fair cash offers with no closing costs
Get a Cash Offer — Solar Panels and All
Whether you have leased panels, a lien on title, or buyers who walked away, we’ll make a no-obligation cash offer to buy your Utah home as-is.
No fees. No waiting. No nonsense.
Reach out today and skip the solar stress.