Installing an EV Charger in a Rental Property: Is It Allowed?
If you're renting a house or flat and drive an electric vehicle (EV), you might want to know whether or not you can install a charger at home. This is an important question to ask, since having a charger on your property is significantly more affordable and convenient than having to visit a public charge point whenever your car's battery is low.
But when renting restricts you from making permanent changes to your property, what's the situation when it comes to installing a dedicated home charge point? Can you legally install an electric vehicle charger at your rental property? What should tenants and landlords know?
Keep reading for a comprehensive look at installing EV chargers on rental properties.
What the Law Says About EV Chargers in Rented Homes
If you live in England, Scotland, or Wales, the good news is that you have the right to ask your landlord to install an EV charging point at a property you're renting.
Thanks to the Building Regulations 2010 (Part S), which now covers electric vehicle infrastructure, tenants can legally request permission from their landlord to install an EV charger. Of course, that doesn't automatically mean that your landlord will grant permission. There are a few reasons why they might refuse, such as listed building status or leasholder restrictions that make the installation impossible.
As of early 2022, it's now easier to apply for EV charger installations in the UK, and you can even apply to receive a grant of up to £350 (called the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant) to go towards the cost of buying and installing an electric car charger. The amount you'll receive depends on how many parking spaces the work covers.
Your landlord can also apply to receive an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant and a Charge Point Grant if they decide to install EV chargers on the same property.
Just keep in mind that you can't install a charger without written permission, so don't try and do it sneakily! The last thing you want is to break your tenancy agreement and risk legal trouble over something as small as a car charger.
What to Do Before You Ask Your Landlord About Installing an EV Charger
Before you speak to your landlord about getting an EV charging point installed, you'll want to make sure you're well prepared with all the information they might ask for.
That means:
Know Exactly What You Want to Install
While you don't need to research too heavily until you get the A-OK from your landlord, it's still helpful to learn about the different EV charger options and determine exactly what you want to install.
Make sure to choose an OZEV-approved installer and charger model. This essentially means both the charger and the company installing it have been certified by the UK Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles for meeting certain safety, quality, and installation standards, and you can use this to demonstrate to your landlord that the installer's work meets government safety standards.
Learn More About The Installation Process
It's also worth researching the installation process, so you can prepare details like the exact location of the charger, how the cables will be run, and if the installation you're after will affect any walls or shared areas.
The more you know, the fewer questions your landlord will have to follow up with, and the less overwhelming your request will be.
Get Quotes and Permission
Finally, ask for a formal written estimate from a few installers, which you can also present to your landlord. This should include costs (make sure there are no unexpected added extras!), as well as timeframes and warranty information. Your landlord will be more likely to say yes if you're able to show a clear outline of the work to be done.
Don't forget to get written permission from other residents, too, which you'll need if the charger connects through shared spaces or another resident’s parking spot. Having permissions in advance gives your landlord one less reason to say no when you approach them with your request.
What to Know About EV Charging in Flats and Shared Spaces
If you want to install an EV charger at your rental flat, you're facing a more complicated (but not impossible!) process. As well as permission from your landlord, you'll probably also need a written agreement from the freeholder or building manager. Not only that, but if the car park is managed by a residents’ association, you may have to get their approval as well.
But on the flipside, EV charging infrastructure is becoming more commonly seen in blocks of flats with lots of parking spaces compared to individual rentals, and some newer buildings come with chargepoints already built in. You might want to keep an eye on these properties, so when a tenant moves out, you can swoop in and claim their flat and charging spot.
When to Consider a Portable EV Charger
If you can’t install a wall charger, it's not game over. You can still charge your EV at home with a portable granny charger or type 2 charger that plugs into a standard UK three-pin socket.
Yes, the time it takes to charge your EV will be longer, but the advantage of these chargers is that they don't need approval from your landlord if you use an existing socket. Just make sure you know how to use them safely—for instance, they shouldn't be used with extension leads, and your socket circuit should be able to handle the extra load.
Takeaway
Looking at the UK government pathway for zero-emission vehicle transition before 2035, it's clear to see that EV chargepoints are only going to become more and more commonplace in rental homes.
There will come a point where the adoption of electric vehicles is so heavy that landlords begin offering chargers to make their property appealing to more tenants. That's great news for the future, although not so useful if you need a charger on your property now and your landlord expects you to foot the bill.
Most likely, you'll need to arrange and pay for the charger installation yourself. Make sure to get everything in writing, including permissions, costs, a timeline, and removal terms, before the installation starts.
If you're still unsure about your options, contact us today. We have years of experience installing EV chargepoints in residential properties and can provide you with a free, comprehensive estimate for home charging point installation.
More on Electric Vehicle Charging for Rental Homes: FAQ
Want to know even more about charging your electric vehicle in a rental property? Our FAQ section answers additional questions you might have.
Who pays to install an EV charging point on a rental property?
Usually, the tenant pays to buy and install an EV charger. Your landlord will only cover the cost if they want to add long-term value to the property (usually if they have a big block of flats and are likely to have at least some tenants with EVs, for example). As the tenant, you'll usually also have to cover any maintenance and repair costs, unless the landlord paid for the charger installation themselves.
How can you pay to install an EV chargepoint at a rental property?
You'll usually have to pay from your own pocket to install an EV chargepoint on your rental property, unless your landlord is feeling nice (or thinks there's something in it for them). Getting an EV chargepoint grant will help foot some of the costs. You'll usually be responsible for paying maintenance out of pocket, as well as servicing. Unlike, say, an annual boiler service, your landlord isn't legally required to service an electric vehicle charger for you.
Do you need planning permission to install an EV chargepoint at a rental home?
No, most home EV charger installations (regardless of whether it's a property owned by you or your landlord) fall under permitted development in the UK, so you don’t usually need planning permission as long as the charger is:
- Under 0.2 cubic metres in size
- Not within 2 metres of a highway
- Installed on a suitable property (i.e., not on a listed building)
If the property is in a conservation area, you might need planning permission even to install a small charger. Ask your installer if you're unsure.
What if your landlord refuses to install an EV charging point?
Your landlord is within their right to refuse permission for installing an electric vehicle charger, but they should give you clear reasons why in writing. If you think the refusal is unfair, you have a couple of options: either try to negotiate or offer to pay for extra work to address their concerns (for instance, you could suggest surface-mounted cables so there's no need to drill into a wall). Your landlord might also refuse if the property is leasehold and the freeholder says no.
