UK Government proposes EV charging rights for tenants

The UK government has launched a consultation on proposals that would grant tenants and leaseholders the right to request the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging points at their properties. The initiative, led by the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, aims to remove structural barriers that currently prevent renters from accessing home charging infrastructure.

Under the proposed measures, landlords and freeholders would be required to make timely decisions and could not unreasonably refuse permission. The government suggests a requirement for written responses within a set period, such as 28 days. While tenants or leaseholders would likely be responsible for the initial costs of installation, the consultation is seeking views on long-term responsibilities regarding maintenance, usage, and the eventual removal of the equipment.

Landlords could potentially refuse requests based on specific grounds, such as conflicts with existing lease terms, statutory obligations, insufficient parking space, or the need for local electricity network upgrades. Some industry representatives have criticized the move, describing it as unnecessary over-legislation and suggesting that landlords already have an incentive to facilitate such installations to increase property attractiveness.