Why Landlords Should Be Thinking About EV Chargers Now

If you own rental properties in Rotherham or South Yorkshire, EV chargers probably are not at the top of your priority list. You are more likely dealing with EICR deadlines, gas safety certificates, and the latest selective licensing requirements. But EV charging is coming to the rental sector fast, and landlords who move early will benefit.

The UK government’s 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales means your tenants will increasingly drive electric vehicles. Properties with EV chargers already command higher rents and attract better tenants in many areas. And there are grants available right now that significantly reduce the installation cost.

The Landlord EV Charger Grant

The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant is available to landlords as well as homeowners. The grant provides up to per socket towards the cost of installing an EV charger at a rental property. You can claim for multiple properties, making it possible to add chargers across your portfolio at a significantly reduced cost.

Eligibility for landlords

To qualify for the landlord grant, the property must have dedicated off-street parking (a driveway, garage, or private parking space — not on-street parking). The charger must be a smart charger (all new chargers meet this requirement). The installation must be carried out by an OZEV-approved installer. You must own the property and it must be rented out or available for rent.

The grant applies per socket, not per property. If you install two chargers at a property with two parking spaces, you can claim for each — a total of towards the installation.

How to apply

The application process is straightforward. Your OZEV-approved installer handles the paperwork. They apply for the grant on your behalf, and the grant amount is deducted from your installation bill. You do not need to pay the full amount and wait for a refund.

The current grant scheme runs until 31 March 2027. Given that government grants tend to be reduced or removed once take-up increases, there is a strong argument for claiming sooner rather than later.

The Business Case for Landlord EV Chargers

Higher rental yields

Properties with EV chargers are increasingly attractive to tenants, particularly in suburban areas with off-street parking. For professional tenants who drive EVs, a home charger is a significant draw — it means they can charge overnight at home rather than relying on public chargers, which are slower, less convenient, and more expensive per kWh.

In a competitive rental market, an EV charger can differentiate your property from identical ones on the same street. As EV ownership continues to grow (EVs made up over a third of new car registrations in the UK in 2025), the proportion of tenants who consider an EV charger essential will only increase.

Future-proofing your property

New build regulations already require EV charging provision (Part S of the Building Regulations, effective since June 2022). While there is no current retrofit requirement for existing rental properties, the direction of travel is clear. Installing chargers now — while grants are available — is cheaper than waiting for a potential future mandate when demand (and installation costs) may be higher.

Tenant retention

Good tenants are hard to find and expensive to lose. Void periods, remarketing costs, referencing fees, and the general hassle of tenant changeover make retention a priority. Offering an EV charger is a relatively low-cost amenity that improves tenant satisfaction and gives them one less reason to move.

Installation Considerations for Rental Properties

Who pays for the electricity?

This is the first question every landlord asks. The answer is simple: the tenant pays, because the charger is connected to the property’s electricity supply, which is in the tenant’s name. The charger uses the property’s electricity meter, and the tenant pays their electricity bill as normal. There is no need for a separate meter or billing arrangement.

Smart chargers track energy consumption per session, so the tenant can see exactly how much electricity they have used for charging. This data appears in the charger’s app.

What if the tenant does not have an EV?

If the current tenant does not drive an EV, the charger simply sits unused — it costs nothing when not in use. When the tenancy turns over, having a charger already installed makes the property more attractive to EV-driving tenants. Think of it like a dishwasher or a quality kitchen — it adds value even if the current occupant does not use it.

Whose charger account is it?

Most smart chargers require an account (usually via a phone app) to operate. There are two approaches. The landlord retains the account and gives the tenant access via a guest or secondary user function. This allows the landlord to retain control of charger settings and monitor usage. Alternatively, the tenant creates their own account during the tenancy and the account is transferred or reset when they leave. Either approach works — discuss with your installer which is more practical for the specific charger model.

Maintaining the charger

EV chargers require minimal maintenance — they are solid-state devices with no moving parts. The main considerations are visual inspection for damage (especially after storms or if the car has reversed into the unit), checking that the cable is in good condition (for tethered chargers), ensuring the Wi-Fi connection is active so the charger can receive firmware updates, and including the charger circuit in the property’s regular electrical inspection (EICR).

Electrical supply capacity

Before installing a charger at a rental property, check the property’s electrical supply. A 7kW EV charger draws 32A, which is a significant load on top of normal household consumption. Properties with a 60A main fuse may need load management or a supply upgrade. The consumer unit must have a spare way for the charger circuit and appropriate RCD protection.

For full details on supply capacity, main fuse ratings, and load management, see my guide on whether home electrics can handle an EV charger.

Multiple Properties: Scaling Up

If you own several rental properties, a phased approach to EV charger installation makes sense.

Prioritise properties with off-street parking

The OZEV grant requires dedicated off-street parking, so start with properties that have driveways, garages, or private parking spaces. Properties with only on-street parking are not eligible for the grant and are more complex to equip — see my guide on EV chargers for terraced houses with no driveway.

Prioritise properties with good electrical infrastructure

Properties with modern consumer units, 80A or 100A supplies, and adequate earthing are cheaper and simpler to equip with EV chargers. Properties that need a consumer unit upgrade, supply upgrade, or earthing work will cost more — though these improvements benefit the property’s overall electrical safety regardless of the EV charger.

Bulk installation discounts

If you are installing chargers across multiple properties, ask your installer about bulk pricing. The survey, installation, and grant application process is the same for each property, but the per-unit cost may be lower when several installations are planned together.

HMO Considerations

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) present unique challenges for EV charging.

Shared parking

Most HMOs with off-street parking have shared spaces rather than individually allocated bays. This creates complications: which tenant uses the charger, who pays for the electricity, and how do you prevent disputes? Solutions include installing a charger with access control (RFID card or app-based authentication) so usage can be tracked and billed to individual tenants, and installing multiple chargers if there are multiple parking spaces.

Supply capacity

HMOs typically have higher overall electrical demand than single-household properties. Adding a 7kW EV charger to a property that already has high baseload demand requires careful assessment of the supply capacity. Load management is essential in most HMO installations.

Planning and licensing

If the HMO is licensed (mandatory in many South Yorkshire areas), check whether the installation of an EV charger triggers any notification or approval requirements under the licence conditions. In most cases, it does not, but it is worth checking with the licensing authority.

Tenant Requests for EV Chargers

You may receive requests from tenants asking to install an EV charger at the property. How you handle this depends on your situation.

Tenant-funded installation

Some tenants offer to pay for the charger and installation themselves. While this shows initiative, it creates complications. Who owns the charger when the tenancy ends? Is the installation carried out by a qualified, registered electrician? Does the installation comply with Part P Building Regulations? Is the consumer unit and supply adequate?

If a tenant wants to install a charger at their own expense, require them to use an OZEV-approved, NAPIT or NICEIC-registered installer, provide written evidence that the installation complies with BS 7671 and Part P, and agree in writing whether the charger remains at the property or is removed when the tenant leaves. The simplest approach, however, is often for the landlord to arrange and pay for the installation (claiming the grant), maintaining control of the quality and compliance.

Adding EV charger provisions to tenancy agreements

If you install a charger, update the tenancy agreement to cover responsibility for the electricity cost (the tenant, via their normal electricity bill), responsibility for reporting damage or faults, prohibition on tampering with or modifying the charger or its wiring, and provisions for account transfer or reset at the end of the tenancy.

Combining EV Chargers with Other Electrical Upgrades

If a rental property is due for an EICR, consumer unit upgrade, or any other electrical work, combining it with an EV charger installation is cost-effective. The electrician is already on site, the consumer unit is already being worked on, and the disruption to the tenant is minimised.

For landlords managing their electrical safety compliance, scheduling the EV charger installation alongside the next EICR or remedial work visit makes practical and financial sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can landlords get a grant for EV charger installation?

Yes. The OZEV Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant provides up to per socket for landlords installing chargers at rental properties with dedicated off-street parking. The grant is available until 31 March 2027. Your OZEV-approved installer handles the application.

Who pays for the electricity when a tenant charges their EV?

The tenant pays. The EV charger is connected to the property’s electricity supply, which is metered and billed to the tenant through their normal electricity bill. There is no need for a separate meter.

Can a tenant install an EV charger without the landlord’s permission?

No. EV charger installation is notifiable work under Part P Building Regulations and involves permanent alterations to the property’s electrical system. Tenants need the landlord’s written permission before any installation. Landlords should require that any installation is carried out by a qualified, registered electrician.

Is an EV charger included in the EICR inspection?

The EV charger circuit is part of the property’s fixed electrical installation and is included in the scope of an EICR. The inspector will test the dedicated circuit, RCD protection, and earthing associated with the charger.

What happens to the EV charger when a tenant leaves?

The charger stays at the property (it is a fixture). The tenant’s app account should be transferred or reset, and any access settings updated for the new tenant. The charger should be visually inspected as part of the standard check-out process.

If you are a landlord looking to install EV chargers at your rental properties in Rotherham or South Yorkshire, call me on 07817 171954 or get in touch here. I am Mat from MP Electrical, a NAPIT-registered, OZEV-approved installer, and I can handle the survey, installation, and grant application for single or multiple properties.