EV Charger Grants and Building Regulations for London Flats

Flat owners and renters in London often assume a home charger is out of reach. In many cases it is not, and there is still government money to help. This guide covers the EV chargepoint grant for flats and renters, the rules every installation has to meet, and the permissions you need before work starts.

The EV chargepoint grant for flats and renters

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) runs a grant for people who own a flat, or who rent a flat or house. From 1 April 2026 it pays up to £500 towards a home charger, and the scheme has been extended to 31 March 2027.

• You need private off-street parking, such as an allocated space or a driveway.
• You must own, lease or have ordered an eligible electric car or plug-in hybrid.
• You can only claim once, and the installer must be OZEV approved.
• You now apply to OZEV yourself through the government Find a Grant service, after buying the charger.

Owners of houses who are not renting are generally not eligible. Check the current rules on the government site before you book, as the scheme details can change.

Permissions you need in a block of flats

• Freeholder or managing agent: leaseholders almost always need written consent to run cable through common parts or fix a charger to the building.
• Landlord: renters need the landlord's written permission, which the grant application also asks for.
• Parking: the space must be yours to use, not a shared or first-come bay.

The rules every installation must meet

• A dedicated circuit: a home charger runs on its own circuit from the consumer unit, which makes it notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. A registered contractor notifies Building Control for you.
• Smart charger rules: chargers sold for home use in Great Britain must have smart functions, including off-peak default charging and randomised start times.
• Earthing: the installer must deal with the risks of the supply type, especially on PME supplies outdoors, often with an earth rod or a charger with built-in protection.
• Certification: you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate for the new circuit.

Check your supply first

Older London flats often have a small supply or an old board with no spare way. A survey before you buy the charger avoids surprises. If the consumer unit is old, upgrading it at the same time is usually cheaper than two separate visits, and it often clears any EICR codes too.

Book an EV charger survey in London

Energy North Ltd is a registered electrical contractor working across North, East and West London since 2017. We check the supply, earthing and board, then quote a fixed price for EV charger installation. If you are a landlord adding a charger to a let property, we can carry out the EICR at the same visit.

Read next

More guides for London landlords and homeowners on the Energy North electrical blog.