The answer
What should a landlord and tenant agree before asking for quotes?
Before spending money on a design, agree who may fit the equipment, who pays for it, who gets the bill savings and who looks after it. Put in writing what happens if the tenant leaves or the lease ends.
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Who pays the bill and gets the export income?
The person paying for panels may not be the person who buys electricity for the building. Agree how each side benefits and put the arrangement in the lease or another clear agreement.
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Who can reach and repair the equipment?
The agreement should allow installation, inspection, repair and eventual removal. Check those rights alongside roof warranties and the tenant's need to keep operating.
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What if the tenant leaves?
Decide who keeps the equipment, monitoring account and warranties if the lease ends. That avoids a useful system becoming no one's responsibility.
Who pays, and who gets the savings?
A landlord may control the roof while a tenant pays for electricity. A tenant may want new plant but have too little lease term to recover its investment. Start with the lease, meter and bill payer, then decide who buys, owns, operates and maintains the equipment.
The Better Buildings Partnership's Green Lease Toolkit provides a framework for cooperation, data sharing, alterations and renewable energy provisions. Use professional lease advice where needed; a technically sound solar or heating scheme still needs a workable commercial agreement.
What to check next
Your next steps
Where we checked the facts
Check the original information.
These official pages back up the rules and technical details above. They can change, so check them again before spending money or starting work.
Apply this to your own property
Where could your business save energy?
A free survey checks your bills, building use and what improvements may work at your site before you decide what to price.