The leaseholder cannot install a charger without the freeholder’s written permission
If you live in a flat and want to install an electric vehicle (EV) charge point in a shared parking area, you need the freeholder’s written permission first. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 gives the freeholder control over alterations to common parts such as the car park, driveway or external wall (Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, s.19).
EV charging on a flat lease requires freeholder written permission. The 2026 Regulations give you a right to request consent, but the freeholder can refuse on grounds like structural safety. A dedicated circuit costs £1,200–£2,000 and consent takes 10 weeks on average.
- Get freeholder written permission before installing any EV charger.
- Freeholder must respond within 21 days under 2026 Regulations.
- Median consent period is 10 weeks for leasehold parking spaces.
- Dedicated circuit costs £1,200–£2,000 from MCS installer averages.
- Shared circuit uses load management for multiple parking spaces.
- The leaseholder cannot install a charger without the freeholder’s written permission
- The freeholder’s consent process takes 8–12 weeks on average
- The two main charger installation options are “dedicated circuit” and “shared circuit”
- Quick numbers
- The 2026 OZEV grant covers up to 75% of installation cost for flats
- The installer must be OZEV-approved and MCS-certified for the grant
- The freeholder’s refusal can be challenged only on specific grounds
The 2026 amendment to the Electric Vehicle (Smart Charge Points) Regulations confirms that leaseholders have a right to request consent, but the freeholder can refuse on specific grounds including structural safety, listed building status or cost (GOV.UK, 2026). The first step for any flat leaseholder is to read their lease for a clause on “alterations to common parts” — if the lease is silent on this, the freeholder’s consent is still legally required.
The freeholder’s consent process takes 8–12 weeks on average
The 2026 DESNZ survey “EV charging in flats: leaseholder consent timescales” reported a median consent period of 10 weeks for parking spaces within the leasehold boundary (DESNZ, 2026). Under the 2026 Regulations, the freeholder must respond within 21 days of a written request; if they refuse, they must give a written reason (Electric Vehicle (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2026, s.12).
If the freeholder does not respond within 21 days, the leaseholder can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). The typical waiting time for a hearing is 4–6 weeks (GOV.UK, First-tier Tribunal guidance).
The two main charger installation options are “dedicated circuit” and “shared circuit”
A dedicated circuit runs a new cable from the flat’s own consumer unit (fuse box) to the parking space. Typical cost: £1,200–£2,000 (2026 MCS installer average quoted cost, from MCS register data) (MCS register, 2026). A shared circuit uses one meter and one charge point for two or more spaces, with a load-management device to prevent overloading. Typical cost: £1,800–£3,000 (DESNZ, 2026).
A dedicated circuit is cheaper but requires the parking space to be within 15 metres of the flat’s meter box. A shared circuit works for distant spaces but costs more because of the load-management equipment.
Quick numbers
| Item | Dedicated circuit | Shared circuit |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost (installed) | £1,200–£2,000 | £1,800–£3,000 |
| Max distance from meter | 15 metres | Up to 50 metres (with load management) |
| Grant eligibility (2026 OZEV grant) | Up to £350 | Up to £350 per charge point |
| Average install time | 1–2 days | 2–4 days |
| MCS certification needed? | Yes (EV01) | Yes (EV01) |
Sources: MCS register (2026 quotes), OZEV grant scheme page (2026), DESNZ “Shared EV charging in flats” report (2026).
The 2026 OZEV grant covers up to 75% of installation cost for flats
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant 2026 offers up to £350 per charge point for leaseholders in flats (not single houses) (GOV.UK, 2026). The grant covers up to 75% of the installation cost, capped at £350.
The grant is available only for installations by an OZEV-approved installer registered on the OZEV installer list (GOV.UK, OZEV installer list). It does not cover the cost of the freeholder’s consent — legal fees or surveyor reports — only the hardware and installation labour.
The installer must be OZEV-approved and MCS-certified for the grant
To claim the 2026 OZEV grant, the installer must be on the OZEV installer list and hold MCS certification for EV charge points (MCS category EV01) (MCS website, 2026). The leaseholder should ask the installer for their MCS certificate number and check it on the MCS register before paying a deposit.
Installers who are not OZEV-approved cannot process the grant. In that case, the leaseholder pays the full cost and cannot reclaim the £350. how to choose an MCS-certified installer for your home
The freeholder’s refusal can be challenged only on specific grounds
The 2026 Regulations list four refusal grounds: (1) structural unsafety, (2) listed building consent requirement, (3) cost to freeholder over £500, (4) the charger would breach a planning condition (Electric Vehicle (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2026, Schedule 1). The freeholder cannot refuse on aesthetic grounds or because they “don’t want cables on the building”.
If the freeholder refuses on a ground not listed, the leaseholder can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a determination (GOV.UK, First-tier Tribunal guidance). No legal representation is required, but a written statement of the refusal is needed. how to challenge a freeholder’s refusal of an EV charger
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you need the freeholder’s written permission. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 gives them control over alterations to common parts. The 2026 Regulations give you a right to request consent but the freeholder can refuse on grounds like structural safety or cost.
The median consent period is 10 weeks from the DESNZ 2026 survey. The freeholder must respond within 21 days of a written request. If they refuse, they must give a written reason under the Electric Vehicle Regulations 2026.
If the freeholder does not respond within 21 days, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal. The typical waiting time for a hearing is 4–6 weeks according to GOV.UK guidance.
A dedicated circuit costs £1,200–£2,000 based on 2026 MCS installer average quoted costs from the MCS register. This runs a new cable from your flat’s consumer unit to the parking space.
A shared circuit uses one meter and one charge point for two or more parking spaces. It includes a load-management device to prevent overloading, making it a cost-effective option for multiple leaseholders.
Yes, the freeholder can refuse on specific grounds including structural safety, listed building status or cost. They must give a written reason for refusal under the 2026 Regulations.
