Install of EV Charger – Tenant or landlord cost?

Install of EV Charger – Tenant or landlord cost?

8:46 AM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago 19

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With the increase of electric and hybrid cars replacing both petrol and diesel vehicles, it is only a matter of time before tenants will start to ask landlords to install wall mounted home chargers on their properties.

So, whose responsibility is it to pay for the installation of these devices?

Tenants will argue that home chargers are fixtures and that it is government policy that stipulates that all new car registrations from 2030 must be electric vehicles. The Government in its wisdom has already withdrawn the grant of £350 towards the installation of these units in single dwellings wef 31 March 2022 (in England) which has pushed up the cost to approx. £1,000 each.

Landlords will argue that vehicle choice rests with the tenant at least until 2030 so why should they pay?

Does anyone have any experience with this or know who is legally responsible for bearing this cost?

Many thanks

Phil


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Comments

geester24

9:46 AM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

Just had a tenant who wanted one installed and was happy to sort and pay for it herself but consulting me on location etc. I allowed her to use a parking space that came free for no extra charge so give and take. Will be a feature going forward as will the secure bike shed I installed at the front also. Keep em happy and so will you be too.

moneymanager

9:55 AM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

I think the point of the enforced move to EVs has been missed, it isn't really the replacement of ICE powered private vehicles to EV private vehucles at all bu the reducton/ABOLITION of private transport altogether, this is nothing to do with environmental concern but is all directed at political control.

Shanks' Pony for you my lad.

Tony Hodge

9:57 AM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

There are many considerations to think of. Here is a starter:-
1. If tenant pays for installment then they may have a claim to the charging point when they leave.
2. If you let a property where there is a ground rent/lease then you may not own the right to make changes to the structure- fitting a charger to the outside wall. Also where would you get power from for the charger.
3. How would you charge for the electricity used if on a shared house.
4. Cables trailing across pathways or causing obstruction/nuisance.
etc etc.
Tony

Geoff

10:01 AM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

I too have been wondering about this....Thank you for the post.
I have a flat with a private garage in large well managed estate - my garage has no power. It is only a matter of time before my tenant insists on a charge point in the garage. Between the management fees and install costs for the chunky cable between the garage and the meter, the costs could well be over £5000. I think it is unfair to make the tenant to pay this - but similarly, I do not want to pay it either.

JaSam

10:20 AM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

I agree currently it's not a necessity. Nor I fully agree EV is the way forward for everyone anyway. Remember fluorescent bulbs; the government poured loads on money into to replace incandescent bulbs yet 5-10 years later LED's took over superior in every way, what a waste of money! Look out for synthetic e-fuel (Diesels)

If the tenant wants to buy one themselves I would allow it as long as a qualified professions does the installation and I get a copy of the certificate. I would also put an amendment in the Tenancy agreement that they are responsible for the upkeep, decommissioning and removal when they leave by a professional. If they don't want to do that then they can transfer the ownership over to me FOC (providing it's still working) otherwise the removal fee will be deducted from their deposit.

I am also happy to supply an EV charger but the rent will be increased slightly at next interval to cover the cost.

Either way I would insist that only an "untethered" version is installed and the tenant would be required to supply their own cable. That way in any scenario I would not be responsible for damaged / stolen leads etc..

Reluctant Landlord

10:25 AM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

Just say no. Your property and if you don't want one installed - there are public places they can charge up.

Issue is this will be a installed as a long term item - meaning servicing and maintenance and if the tenant leaves then its back to the LL. Anyway who's to say the next tenant needs one, so you are left with a dead duck.

Dylan Morris

10:26 AM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by moneymanager at 20/04/2022 - 09:55
Exactly the Government want to remove 95% of cars from the roads under their COP26 agenda. And of course under Boris the U.K. will lead the world and be first. You do this by prohibiting the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles and forcing everybody to have electric cars. The WEF Great Reset plan is that apart from “owning nothing and being happy” in the future everything you need we will be available within 15 minutes walk from your home. (For the non believers just take a look at the WEF website, they’re not even trying to hide it).
I doubt many tenants will be buying a new electric vehicle at £40k+ so unlikely to affect many landlords.

NewYorkie

10:29 AM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

There is no requirement to own a vehicle, and landlords are not responsible for implementing [unworkable] green policies. Public chargers are available locally, would be my get-out clause in my AST (if I was staying in BTL). Most high rise developments are given planning approval without parking. The new Brentford FC stadium development included 900 apartments with zero residents' parking, but Hounslow Council subsequently agreed that residents could have parking permits in surrounding [heavily parked] streets. Most streets have residents'parking, which does not convey any responsibility for providing a parking space, let alone a space outside your property, where your charger would be. Leaseholders and tenants have no authority to fit chargers without the landlord's consent, which would no doubt be at a hugely inflated cost. I could go on...

Phil

12:40 PM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Geoff at 20/04/2022 - 10:01
I agree Geoff, the move to EV is unstoppable - you only need to see what the motor manufacturers are doing with their vehicle ranges. Also, the cost of petrol/diesel at the moment is making car owners look to cheaper alternatives.
If the distance between the device and where the tenant parks is close (high speed charging cables can be 8 metres in length) and doesn't pose a H&S risk across pavements, then I'd be inclined to agree to a tenants request. After all, the electricity would be charged to their account, and it will be an added benefit for attracting future tenants.

Rennie

15:54 PM, 20th April 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by moneymanager at 20/04/2022 - 09:55
Couldn't agree more! Climate change is complete twaddle. They don't want anyone to have a car. They want complete control.

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