Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Team from a report by The Negotiator. Read the original article for full details.
New EV Charging Rights Proposed for Tenants and Leaseholders
Tenants and leaseholders would be given new rights to request electric vehicle charging points under Government proposals now out for consultation. Ministers say the plans are intended to overcome "barriers" that officials claim landlords or freeholders put in the way of installations.
What the Government says
According to the announcement, permission to install an EV charging point is sometimes refused "without a clear reason". The Government states that access to the benefits of home charging "is not evenly distributed", adding that those who do not own their homes, particularly tenants and leaseholders, "often face additional structural barriers to installing home charging infrastructure, limiting their ability to make the transition".
The announcement also notes that "lease considerations can create barriers to the deployment of EV charge points" and that tenants and leaseholders "often face hurdles getting landlord or freeholder approval".
Industry pushback
Not everyone in the sector agrees there is a problem. Greg Tsuman, MD of Lettings at Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents, told the Daily Telegraph: "This looks like a solution in search of a problem. I've never encountered a landlord refusing permission for an EV charger to be installed. They have every incentive to facilitate it since it makes the property more attractive." Tsuman added that the proposals form "part of a recent pattern of over-legislation in the rental market".
Grants available
The Government offers charge point grants of up to £500 to those living in flats (including leaseholders and tenants), those in other rented accommodation, and residential landlords.
What this means for agents and inventory clerks
For letting agents, the consultation signals potential new procedural duties around tenant requests for charging infrastructure, an area where lease terms and freeholder consent have historically created friction. Inventory clerks may also see EV charge points increasingly listed as fixtures and noted in check-in and check-out reports as installations become more common. The consultation is open, and the outcome will determine whether formal rights to request are introduced.
Source: The Negotiator