Property & Title

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I get assistance if I am selling my home?
• What options do I have regarding the solar system agreement when I sell my home?
• What is the process for transferring the agreement to the person purchasing my home?
• Can I put the solar contract under my renter’s name?
• Is there a qualification process for the buyer to assume the solar agreement?
• Is there anything I need to consider regarding the solar system prior to accepting an offer on my home?
• Can the value of the panels be included in the price of the home?

How can I get assistance if I am selling my home?

Due to the potential complexity of real estate and property transactions, Tesla has a specialized Property & Title team to assist you with all matters related to the transfer of the solar system and its agreement. To begin the process, submit a request in your Tesla Account and follow the available options depending on the type of contract you have as early as possible before the proposed closing date.

The following categories are covered by the Property & Title team:

The Property & Title team will assist with the required documentation for the transactions listed above, including release and/or subordination requests related to our UCC-1 fixture filing on the solar system. Note: This UCC-1 filing is not a lien — this is filed on the solar system itself and not the home.

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What options do I have regarding the solar system agreement when I sell my home?

If the system is owned by Tesla:

The most common option is to transfer the agreement to the new homeowner. After transfer is completed, the new owner will pick up where you left off. If you would like to explore other options outside of a transfer, please refer to the terms in your contract which can be viewed in your Tesla Account.

If the system is owned by you:

If you have purchased your panels with cash or have secured funding with a third-party lender, you do not need to transfer the contract. The warranties remain with the solar system and automatically transfer. Once your home is sold, reach out to the Property & Title team so that Tesla can update your account.

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What is the process for transferring the agreement to the person purchasing my home?

If the system is owned by Tesla:

1. Notify Tesla prior to listing. As soon as you are ready to put your solar home on the market, notify the Property & Title team. As long as Tesla has permission to share your solar agreement details, Tesla can be a resource throughout the home sale process and ensure applicable parties have the information they need regarding the solar system/agreement.
2. Ensure your intentions are clear. If you intend for the buyer of the property to assume the solar system/agreement, ensure that this is clearly disclosed to your real estate agent (or representative) and any potential buyers. You may decide to list the assumption of the solar agreement as a contingency, which can help to ensure a smooth process.
3. Notify Tesla once you enter in contract. Once there is a buyer, communicate that they should notify the Property & Title team as soon as possible so that Tesla may answer any questions they have and start the transfer process. Alternatively, Tesla can reach out to them if their contact information is provided to Tesla.
4. Tesla will handle the paperwork. Tesla will provide a simple transfer agreement for both buyer and seller to sign. It’s all done online, so there’s no need to worry about filling out lots of forms. Just e-sign and you’re done.
5. It’s official. Once Tesla is notified that the purchase of the property has been completed, Tesla will update the account into the assuming party’s name.

If the system is owned by you:

There is no paperwork involved as the warranties remain with the solar system and automatically transfer. Either the buyer or seller may notify the Property & Title team, provide them with the newly recorded deed and Tesla will update the account owner.

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Can I put the solar contract under my renter’s name?

You can add anyone to the account as an authorized contact, but the homeowner must remain on the contract at all times. Note: Since adding a renter to the account gives them access to personal account information such as billing, contracts, etc., this approach is not recommended.

Instead, it is recommended that the homeowner receives invoices and forwards them to the renter to submit payments, if outlined in your rental agreement. While the homeowner is not required to make the payments directly to Tesla, the homeowner/contract signer is ultimately responsible for the amounts due under the contract, not the renter.

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Is there a qualification process for the buyer to assume the solar agreement?

There is no qualification process if Tesla does not own the system or if the agreement was fully prepaid. If there is a monthly payment obligation to Tesla, the buyer may qualify in one of three ways:

1. Meeting Tesla’s credit criteria
2. Purchasing the home with cash
3. If they do not qualify under (1) or (2), paying a $250 credit fee

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Is there anything I need to consider regarding the solar system prior to accepting an offer on my home?

If the system is owned by Tesla:

If you intend for the buyer of the property to assume the solar agreement, ensure that it is clearly disclosed to your real estate agent (or representative) and any potential buyers. You may decide to list the assumption of the solar agreement as a contingency which can help to ensure a smooth process. Consider inquiring about the lender your potential buyer has chosen (for example, VA loans) and whether they will mortgage a property with an existing solar agreement.

If the system is owned by you:

If you have purchased your panels with cash or have secured funding with a third-party lender, you do not need to transfer the contract. The warranties remain with the solar system and automatically transfer. Once your home is sold, reach out to the Property & Title team, provide them with the newly recorded deed and Tesla will update the account owner.

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Can the value of the panels be included in the price of the home?

If the homeowner is the owner of the solar system, it may be included in the appraised value of the property. If the homeowner does not own the solar system, it should not typically be included in the value of the property.

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