EV Charging Points for Landlords UK 2026 — Building Regulations, Grants and Tenant Obligations

Building Regulations Part S — mandatory EV charging for new residential buildings

The Building Regulations 2022 introduced mandatory EV charging infrastructure requirements for new residential buildings in England via Approved Document S. Similar requirements apply in Wales and Scotland under their respective building regulations.

• New dwellings with associated parking: All new dwellinghouses and residential buildings in England with associated parking must include at least one EV charge point per dwelling. For flats or maisonettes in developments of fewer than 10 units, at least one EV charge point per unit with parking is required. Applications submitted from 15 June 2022 are subject to this requirement
• New dwellings with cable routes only: For flats and maisonettes in residential buildings where installing a full charge point is not practical in all units (e.g. large blocks), Approved Document S permits the installation of cable routes (passive provision — conduit for future installation) rather than active charge points in certain circumstances
• Renovations and change of use: Where a residential building with parking undergoes renovation works that require Building Regulations approval, the renovation must include EV charge point installation if the renovation costs exceed a threshold. The precise threshold and requirements depend on the nature of the works
• New non-residential buildings: New non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces must have at least 1 in 5 spaces EV-ready (cable route) and at least 1 active charge point. This affects landlords with commercial property with parking
• Compliance is mandatory for new builds: Failure to include the required EV infrastructure is a Building Regulations non-compliance. Ensure your architect and contractor are aware of Approved Document S requirements at design stage

Existing rental properties — no current mandatory obligation, but grant funding available

For existing rental properties built before June 2022, there is no current legal requirement to retrofit EV charging points. However, OZEV grant funding makes installation significantly more affordable.

• No retrospective obligation: Landlords are not currently required by law to install EV charge points in existing rental properties that predate the Building Regulations 2022 requirements. There is no current 'right to install' for tenants in England equivalent to the Welsh provisions under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
• EV Chargepoint Grant (OZEV): The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles administers the EV Chargepoint Grant for flat owners and landlords. Eligible landlords installing charge points in rental properties (flats and multi-unit buildings) can receive up to 75% off the cost of the charge point and installation, capped at £350 per socket. The grant applies to installations at privately rented residential properties where parking is associated with the property
• Application process: The grant is applied for by the authorised OZEV installer, not directly by the landlord. The installer claims the grant and passes the saving on. Use an OZEV authorised installer — only their installations qualify
• Tax implications: EV charge point installation in a rental property is a capital expenditure. Under current HMRC guidance, EV charge points may qualify for capital allowances under the main plant and machinery pool or for the annual investment allowance (AIA) in certain commercial contexts. Seek specialist tax advice on deductibility in your specific property income scenario
• Lettability advantage: Properties with EV charging — particularly in areas where street parking is limited or charging infrastructure is sparse — command a lettability premium and may justify modest rental premiums in competitive urban markets

Planning permission for EV charge point installation

Installing an EV charge point at a residential property is frequently a permitted development right — planning permission is often not required. But there are important exceptions for listed buildings and conservation areas.

• Permitted development for dwellinghouses: Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended), EV charge point installation on a dwellinghouse wall or within its curtilage is typically permitted development. Planning permission is not required for a standard wall-box charge point at a house with off-street parking
• Listed buildings: Planning permission and listed building consent are required for any works affecting a listed building's character or appearance. A wall-mounted EV charger on a listed Georgian or Victorian property may require listed building consent — do not install without checking with the local planning authority
• Conservation areas: In conservation areas, additional controls may apply to external works. A charge point on the front elevation of a property in a conservation area may require prior approval — check with the LPA
• Flats and blocks: The permitted development right for EV charge points in flat blocks and multi-unit buildings is more restricted. Common parts and external walls of flat blocks typically require planning permission or freeholder/landlord consent for any alterations. If you own a converted house with multiple flats, the position depends on the planning use history
• Highways land: EV charge points on public highway land (including some parking spaces designated in housing schemes) require consent from the highways authority — separate from planning permission

Handling tenant requests for EV charge point installation

A growing number of tenants request permission to install their own EV charge point at a rental property. Landlords need a clear process for handling these requests.

• No statutory right to install in England: Unlike the Welsh position under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (which gives tenants a right to request certain improvements), there is no equivalent statutory right in England for tenants to install EV charge points. Any installation requires the landlord's consent
• Consider the request carefully: A well-specified, professionally installed EV charge point by an OZEV authorised installer is unlikely to damage the property — in many cases it adds value. Blanket refusals deny landlords access to the OZEV grant and may make the property less lettable
• Grant access: The OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant requires the landlord's co-operation — the landlord must provide access to the installer and sign the necessary documentation. Where a tenant wishes to claim the grant for an installation they fund, the landlord's signature is required
• Consent conditions: Where consent is given, landlords may stipulate: use of an OZEV authorised installer only; the work must comply with all Building Regulations and relevant British Standards (BS 7671 wiring regulations); the charge point must be removed and all surfaces made good at the end of the tenancy unless agreed otherwise; cost of installation is borne by the tenant unless otherwise agreed
• Include in the tenancy agreement: If EV charge point consent is given, document it as a written variation to the Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement — specify the permitted installation, the installer, and the end-of-tenancy conditions

EV charging in HMO properties

HMO landlords face additional considerations when installing EV charging — the electrical supply to an HMO may need upgrading to support charge point demand, and communal areas create shared charging challenges.

• Electrical capacity: Many older HMOs have limited incoming electrical capacity (older 60A or 80A single-phase supplies). Installing multiple EV charge points — or a single 7kW charge point — may require a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) supply upgrade, which carries significant cost and lead time
• Smart load management: Smart EV charge points with dynamic load management can share available electrical capacity between multiple sockets without overloading the supply. These are appropriate for HMOs where multiple tenants may wish to charge simultaneously
• Who pays for charging? In an HMO where the landlord pays electricity bills, EV charging adds significant electricity cost. Define clearly in the HMO tenancy agreement whether EV charging is permitted and who bears the electricity cost — a smart charge point with sub-metering allows charging cost to be separated and invoiced to the relevant tenant
• HMO licence conditions: Confirm with the relevant local authority that EV charge point installation does not affect your HMO licence conditions — particularly where works affect communal areas or the building's electrical installation

Key documents for landlords managing EV charging

Use LetSafe UK's Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement, which includes a clause framework for recording EV charge point consent, conditions, and end-of-tenancy obligations.

• Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement (England): Record any EV charge point consent, the permitted installation specification, cost allocation, and end-of-tenancy conditions as written terms in the tenancy agreement
• Written consent letter: For existing tenancies, document EV charge point consent as a written variation to the existing agreement
• Inventory: Record the pre-installation condition of all affected walls, surfaces, and electrical installations at check-in, and document the installed charge point condition in the check-out report

Frequently asked questions