UCC Document Community

This is such a common problem with solar companies - they're great at selling and installing but terrible at the backend paperwork. I went through something similar with SunPower a few years ago. One thing that helped me was finding the original UCC-1 filing number and referencing it in every communication with them. Also, if you're in California, there's actually a specific solar consumer protection law that requires timely lien releases. Check if your state has similar protections. In the meantime, I'd definitely follow the advice about escalating to their Asset Management or Customer Advocacy department - regular customer service literally doesn't have access to the systems that handle UCC filings. Good luck with your refi!

As someone who works in UCC filings professionally, I can tell you that solar companies like Sunrun often use automated systems that batch process terminations monthly rather than handling them immediately upon payoff. This is completely unacceptable when customers need the terminations for refinancing. Here's what I'd recommend: 1) Send that certified letter everyone mentioned, but include your loan account number, original UCC-1 filing number, and the exact date of your final payment. 2) Reference UCC Article 9 requirements for termination statements - this shows you understand the legal framework. 3) Give them a hard deadline (10 business days) and state that delays are causing quantifiable financial harm due to your refinance timeline. 4) If they don't respond, file complaints simultaneously with your state AG, CFPB, and BBB. The key is making multiple complaints at once - companies hate dealing with regulatory inquiries from different agencies asking about the same issue. Also, document everything and consider having your lender send them a letter directly explaining the urgency for your loan closing.

This is such a comprehensive thread - thank you all for sharing your experiences! As someone who just went through my first UCC filing in Florida last week, I can confirm that the debtor name matching is absolutely critical. I spent about an hour on the Division of Corporations website making sure I had the exact legal name before starting the filing. One thing that helped me was printing out the entity details page from their database and keeping it right next to me while filling out the UCC-1 form - that way I could double-check every character. The whole process took me about 45 minutes start to finish, and I got my confirmation email within 10 minutes. The electronic filing really is the way to go - it's fast, cheaper, and you get that immediate peace of mind with the confirmation. For anyone still nervous about it, the system actually walks you through each step pretty clearly once you get started.

I just wanted to echo what everyone else has said about being meticulous with the debtor name - it really cannot be overstated how important this is! I made the mistake of using the "doing business as" name instead of the legal entity name on my first attempt and got rejected immediately. What saved me on the second try was actually calling the Florida Division of Corporations help line (850-245-6052) before submitting. They couldn't tell me exactly what to put, but they confirmed that I needed to use the exact name from the state registration, including all punctuation and spacing. The representative was actually quite helpful and patient with my questions. Also, for the collateral description, I found it helpful to look at sample UCC-1 forms online to see how others described similar types of equipment. Just make sure whatever examples you find are recent and from Florida specifically, since requirements can vary by state and change over time.

Just wanted to add - since you mentioned this is your first secured transaction, make sure you understand the perfection requirements beyond just filing the UCC-1. For manufacturing equipment, the filing usually perfects your security interest, but if any of the equipment is motor vehicles or other titled property, you might need additional steps. Also, if the debtor moves the equipment to another state, you'll need to consider re-filing there within the grace period. The lender's legal team should guide you on these details, but it's good to know the basics going in.

Just to echo what others have said about the debtor name - this is absolutely critical and where most rejections happen. Since you mentioned the collateral is worth $850K, getting this wrong could be costly. I'd recommend pulling the debtor's organizational documents directly from the NY Secretary of State's database and literally copy/paste the exact legal name. Don't rely on what's on their business cards, letterhead, or even contracts - those often use shortened versions. The UCC system matches against the official state records, so even minor variations like "Inc." vs "Incorporated" or missing punctuation will cause a rejection. Take your time on this part - it's worth double and triple checking before you submit.

This thread has been super helpful - thanks everyone for the detailed responses! I'm getting a much clearer picture now. Sounds like the consensus is: 1) Use title lien perfection, not UCC-1 filing for vehicles, 2) Get a solid security agreement with proper default/insurance language, 3) File the title lien within 30 days in Ohio, and 4) Make sure all documents have consistent vehicle descriptions. I'm going to check out that Ohio State Bar form that Demi mentioned and probably run everything through one of those document verification tools before submitting to BMV. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences - family deals can definitely get complicated if not done right!

As someone new to private party vehicle financing, this discussion has been incredibly educational! I'm curious about one aspect that hasn't been covered much - what happens if the borrower wants to trade in or sell the vehicle before the loan is paid off? Do you need specific language in the security agreement about substitute collateral or how the payoff process works? Also, for those who mentioned using document verification tools like Certana.ai, is there a cost involved or are there free alternatives that work just as well for checking document consistency?

I've been down this exact road and here's my experience: the strategy can work but requires meticulous execution. First, make absolutely certain your debtor name matches exactly across ALL documents - I mean character-for-character perfect. Second, document everything like you're going to court tomorrow because you might be. I created a detailed loan agreement between my personal entity and LLC, complete with payment schedules and market-rate interest. Third, actually follow through - make real payments, maintain separate books, treat it like an arm's length transaction. The biggest challenge isn't filing the UCC-1, it's maintaining the legitimacy long-term. Also budget for ongoing compliance costs including the UCC-3 continuation filing in year 5. One more thing - run this by a bankruptcy attorney too, not just your business lawyer. The fraudulent transfer implications are real if not structured properly.

This thread has been incredibly insightful - thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences, both successes and disasters! I'm seeing a clear pattern: the strategy can work but requires treating it like a legitimate business transaction from day one. A few observations from reading through all the responses: 1) Document consistency seems to be the #1 killer of these arrangements - multiple people mentioned character-level precision in debtor names, 2) The IRS implications are broader than I initially thought, especially around market-rate interest documentation, 3) The bankruptcy trustee scrutiny angle is sobering and something I need to plan for even if bankruptcy seems unlikely. One question I haven't seen addressed: for those who successfully implemented this, how did you handle the collateral description? Did you go with broad categories like "all equipment" or get specific with serial numbers and model details? I'm leaning toward being more specific to avoid challenges about vague descriptions, but wondering if that creates maintenance headaches when equipment gets replaced or upgraded.