BLOG: Should landlords switch on to electric vehicle charging points?

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Electric vehicle charging expert Matthew Gibbons (main picture) explores the pros and cons of installing the different equipment at rental properties.

Rented properties with EV charge points are a rare thing, so installing one makes a home more desirable, increases demand and means landlords can charge a premium rent. Research shows that 76% of homes with an EV charger increase in value when compared to the local average.

Demand for EV charging opportunities will only grow over the coming years, so it’s an effective way to futureproof the property.

Capacity

But before deciding to install an EV charge point, landlords must determine whether the electrical capacity of their property can support the additional load of an EV charger, particularly if multiple charge points are being installed.

If the installation requires cabling or other elements to be placed in or on another person’s property, all parties must agree to the work through legally binding arrangements. This is often the case if private parking is in an area away from the property and this land is not owned by the landlord.

On-street parking causes the most concern, as charge points cannot be installed on public land if they are for private use.

A solution to this is installing the charge point on the outside of the property, allowing the tenant to run a covered cable across the pavement to charge their vehicle.

For properties with off-street parking that is not dedicated to private bays, a wall-mounted charge point can be installed.

Costs

There are additional installation costs associated with installing a charge point further from the property’s main energy supply, and without private parking it can be difficult to stop others from parking in front of the charge point and in the spaces around it.

Most blocks of flats have a private car park with dedicated bays for each household, making them the ideal location for EV charge points.

If an entire building is owned by one landlord, some may choose to install one charge point for every individual household or every parking bay, but another option is to install communal charge points to be shared between the tenants.

Once charge points are installed, a landlord should decide how they want to manage them. ​​Most manufacturers offer a smartphone app that connects to the charge point. All power used is added to the property’s electricity bill, leaving the management of the charge point to the tenants.

HMO properties

Another method, which is most beneficial for communal charge points at a block but also for HMOs, is a rental app such as CoCharger.

The landlord creates a ‘host’ account and registers the charge point to the app. Tenants of the property then create a ‘chargee’ account, which can be linked to the host. The landlord sets a price per hour for the use of the charge point and tenants can book the charge point using the app.

Grants

The Office of Zero Emission Vehicles provides a grant for landlords who install EV charge points at their properties. This grant can cover up to 75% of the cost to buy and install a charge point, with a £350 limit.

Landlords can apply for up to 200 grants for their residential properties per financial year, and these installations can be for one property alone, or across several properties.

The grant only applies to properties with clearly defined private parking spaces, and the works must be carried out with an OZEV-approved installer using an OZEV-approved charge point model.

Servicing

Once EV charge points are installed at a rental property, landlords must service a charge point every 12 months to ensure that it works correctly. Landlords should also review their current insurance policies to ensure that charger-related liabilities are covered.

Finally, the rental agreement for the property should be updated to include relevant information, rules and regulations regarding the charge point while tenants should also be made aware of their responsibilities.

Most difficulties around installing an EV charge point can be overcome, and the adoption of greener transportation is vital for the country’s net zero goals.

Matthew Gibbons is MD of Plug&Drive.

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