# Tenant installing EV charger- what to do in regards to paperwork and add on costs **URL:** \ **Category:** Legal\ **Created:** [7 August 2026 15:37 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120 "2026-08-07T15:37:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Robert106](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/robert106/32/33676_2.png) [@Robert106](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Robert106)\ **Post date:** [7 August 2026 15:37 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/1 "2026-08-07T15:37:10Z")
Hi- one of our tenants has requested to install an EV charger on our 2005 semi detached property. I’ve checked with our landlord insurer- no problem for them, and I can see the requirements in terms of installation, DMO etc. It seems sensible to either update the contract or have an additional agreement which covers installation of the EV charger, maintenance and what happens at the end of the tenancy- i.e. they either remove it and make good or leave it there at which point it becomes another item to maintain/ have checked etc. Potentially the fuse board may need updating too. Does anyone have any experience or a check list of what to cover off? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![David240](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/david240/32/29827_2.png) [@David240](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/David240)\ **Post date:** [7 August 2026 18:46 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/2 "2026-08-07T18:46:49Z")
@Robert106 If you are not the freeholder you may need their permission if this means a hole will be made in the wall/fabric of the building You need to decide if you want this to be your property or the tenant’s - both for maintenance purposes and what happens at end of tenancy to it. Will you really want to rip it out when tenant leaves? You need to update the inventory I would want to get evidence from tenant of whom will install and their professional qualifications, insurance - or get it done yourself as it’s your property, just like any other improvement. You need to get copies of installation certificates, warranties etc - there’s def some sort of certificate you need when electrical works are done Might also mean upgrades needed to main fuseboard, Good luck ---
**Author:** ![Graham](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/graham/32/450_2.png) [@Graham](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Graham)\ **Post date:** [7 August 2026 23:17 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/3 "2026-08-07T23:17:32Z")
In my experience, it isn’t just the charger you need to consider. (i) the tenant will also want a smart meter, if you have one already no problem but you need one to access cheaper tariffs, (ii) there may be some impact on the overall load capacity of house and main fuse, might need an upgrade if amps are currently insufficient as car takes up 16amps although most “chargers” can also be adjusted to 32amps (my main fuse was 80amps and had to get network power to upgrade to 100amps to avoid circuit tripping when we ran the dryer at same time as charging car), freeholder needs to give consent as a hole in the wall through the bricks and cabling from fuse box to said hole, you need to think about options for where the cable will run. You should be involved in choosing exactly where on the property to put it as the tenant will have their own ideas based on where their car’s charging port is located but you need to think about long term use for various cars and balance against amount of damage and how it looks. Tenant might want it on the front of house but you might want it at side, etc. Also choice of whether it has a tethered cable or not is important and if it can be locked or if house left empty in a void period anyone can park there and charge up (although you can turn it off on the fuse board). It can be a good excuse to sort out the house electric supply and bring everything up to date. ---
**Author:** ![Candid1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/candid1/32/13013_2.png) [@Candid1](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Candid1)\ **Post date:** [8 August 2026 07:26 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/4 "2026-08-08T07:26:03Z")
Getting 100amp should not be a problem. Old houses used to be 60a but they can vary often its just a fuse to change Get the charger point as far away from the house as you can. ( cabling/ load etc) Lithium is a self sustaining fire hazard, do not underestimate the risk. One of several reasons not to go for a phev. Just get an approved sparky and have an isolation switch where you can easily get to it Tbh in a rental property i would not go for it ---
**Author:** ![tatemono](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/tatemono/32/19789_2.png) [@tatemono](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/tatemono)\ **Post date:** [10 August 2026 09:30 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/5 "2026-08-10T09:30:28Z")
As someone who’s had an EV charger myself for 7 years and knows in detail the issues involved in installing one, this is not a typical rental improvement request. Although this potentially adds value to your property, there are a number of factors which you’ll need to take into account and these will only be apparent once the installation company does their initial survey. That’s something you can ask the Ts to do with no obligation on your part that you will proceed. Simply ask them to get an engineer in to give an assessment as to what’s required for the install. That will give you a far better basis for making a decision than you have at the mo. Adding an EV charger will add value to your property at their expense. And the expense is not inconsirable. They’ll not get change out of £1,000. These Ts clearly are looking to stay so factor that in. If you want them to, allowing this may be a way to guarantee rental income for many years to come. > [@Robert106](#): > > they either remove it and make good or leave it there at which point it becomes another item to maintain/ have checked etc. Them removing it is not practical. There is no check/maintain issue though. These things don’t need checking. They either work or they don’t and they last years. You don’t PAT test them! You want it tethered. Graham’s admitted that the issue he raised about other people charging off it is a non-issue by stating the obvious solution to this. If the property is empty for any period, simply flick the isolator and no one can charge. > [@Candid1](#): > > Get the charger point as far away from the house as you can. This is laughably bonkers considering ICE vehicles are more likely to catch fire than EVs: > the available data indicate the fire risk is between 20 and 80 times greater for petrol and diesel vehicles than for EVs, and there’s only a 0.0012% chance of an EV catching fire, compared to 0.1% for petrol or diesel ---
**Author:** ![Robert106](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/robert106/32/33676_2.png) [@Robert106](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Robert106)\ **Post date:** [10 August 2026 09:43 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/6 "2026-08-10T09:43:24Z")
Thanks David- some useful pointers. I’m not overly enthused but open minded. ---
**Author:** ![Robert106](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/robert106/32/33676_2.png) [@Robert106](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Robert106)\ **Post date:** [10 August 2026 10:14 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/7 "2026-08-10T10:14:23Z")
Agree Graham, the fuse board we think will need upgrading. The tenant is talking about an Ohme charger- untethered, which is pretty small. Fuse box is close by where they’re suggesting it goes- so cabling should be minimal. Thanks for your comments. ---
**Author:** ![Robert106](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/robert106/32/33676_2.png) [@Robert106](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Robert106)\ **Post date:** [10 August 2026 10:16 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/8 "2026-08-10T10:16:59Z")
Thanks for your comments. We have a sparky we use who should be able to give us an idea on cabling etc. I’ve asked them to have a look. ---
**Author:** ![Candid1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/candid1/32/13013_2.png) [@Candid1](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Candid1)\ **Post date:** [11 September 2026 18:20 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/9 "2026-09-11T18:20:28Z")
Watch your mouth son, this is clearly beyond you to understand ---
**Author:** ![Mark10](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/mark10/32/11325_2.png) [@Mark10](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Mark10)\ **Post date:** [12 September 2026 07:49 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/10 "2026-09-12T07:49:50Z")
> [@tatemono](#): > > > [@Candid1](#): > > > > Get the charger point as far away from the house as you can. > > This is laughably bonkers considering ICE vehicles are more likely to catch fire than EVs: Although risk of fire is lower the nature of the fire differs due to thermal runaway. In some countries EVs are even banned from being taken on ferries due to fire risk. it takes far more water (10-30k litres vs 1-4K for ICE) to put out an EV as they can burn for days due to how the battery keeps burning, partially due to the oxygen battery keeps on releasing. The risk of reigniting is high. After any kind of collision or overheating issues gov guidelines are to store/work on EVs 15m away from anything else combustable. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Z](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/a_z/32/450_2.png) [@A\_Z](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/A_Z)\ **Post date:** [12 September 2026 13:48 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/tenant-installing-ev-charger-what-to-do-in-regards-to-paperwork-and-add-on-costs/91120/11 "2026-09-12T13:48:24Z")
It may not be a typical rental request for you but it is a request . I think the n r l an included it in their contract .