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Landlords of suitable property would be happy to install an electric vehicle charger if the tenant requested it, a new study shows.
Direct Line found that 86 percent of homeowners would install a charger.
This is a boost for electric vehicle drivers living in rented apartments who are often at a disadvantage by having to rely on more expensive public charging points.
A fifth of landlords told Direct Line they would be willing to cover the cost of installation for a tenant who requested it.
In addition to benefiting the tenant, a Wallbox charger would be a boost for landlords, who could see an increase in property value.
A fifth of landlords told Direct Line they would be willing to cover the cost of installation for a tenant who asked for it – an extra help for tenants who want to charge an electric car but don’t want to rely on public charging.
Direct Line surveyed 1,004 homeowners, of whom 625 were freeholders.
Two in five said the reason for installing a charging point was to keep their tenant happy.
However, 35 percent of landlords were less generous and expected the tenant to pay, while another 30 percent expected to split the cost in half.
This is despite 40 percent of landlords saying the reason for installing a charger is to increase the value of the property, while another 40 percent want to make the property more attractive to tenants.
A paltry 15 percent of landlords said they would allow the installation so they could collect more rent.
It is important that the landlord and tenant have a clear written agreement for when the tenant moves out, covering what happens to the charging point, who is responsible for maintenance and repair costs.
In addition to benefiting the tenant, a Wallbox charger would be a boost for landlords, who could see an increase in property value.
Understandably, just over a quarter of homeowners (26 per cent) are concerned about the extra cost and maintenance associated with installing a charging point.
At the moment, owners are not required to perform an annual service on EV charging points (unlike boilers), although this helps to increase the life of the charger.
By charging at home with a smart charger, EV drivers can take advantage of off-peak rates. Smart chargers automatically stop and start charging based on changes in home rates, such as when rates drop overnight because fewer people are using power.
Cord shows how people without access to home chargers are affected by higher costs
Collection grants available for tenants and landlords
The previous Conservative government opened up the EV charging point grant to those who own or rent properties without off-street parking but do have access to suitable on-street parking.
The grant offers £350 – or up to 75 per cent (whichever is less) – off the cost of purchasing and installing a Wallbox home charger, helping to reduce the cost of owning an electric vehicle by supporting drivers and families looking to switch to electric.
An EV Infrastructure Grant (up to £30,000 or 75 per cent of the cost of the project, the amount of which depends on the number of parking spaces covered by the project) is also available to property owners.
Landlords can use both an infrastructure grant and a charging point grant on the same property.
The future of rental with home charging points: a wave of young electric vehicle owners is coming
ChargeGuru recently surveyed 1,254 consumers and property managers, and 53 percent of apartment dwellers don’t know they have private charging solutions available to them.
This means that a total of 70 percent of respondents reported that they are or would be entirely dependent on public charge.
Currently, only one in ten apartment dwellers drives an electric vehicle, but the landscape is set to change dramatically.
More than half (53 percent) expect to switch to an electric vehicle in the next few years, and 27 percent intend to do so within the next one to two years.
This figure rises to 34 percent among 25- to 34-year-olds, indicating a growing trend towards electric mobility among younger generations.