Grants
Can a Landlord Refuse an EV Charger Grant?
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The renters and flat owners chargepoint grant requires the relevant written property permissions. Grant funding does not itself give you permission to alter a rented home, shared building or parking space.
What the application requires
The application guidance asks for written permission from the landlord, freeholder or property manager, alongside the installer quote and supporting documents. The eligibility rules also require legal rights to a suitable private off-street parking space. Lodger arrangements where the landlord or homeowner lives in the property are excluded by those rules.
This explains the grant requirement, not every landlord’s legal obligations. Whether consent can be withheld in your case may depend on the tenancy, lease and applicable law. If you need to challenge a refusal, get advice on those documents rather than treating the grant scheme as a dispute-resolution service.
Prepare a specific request
Ask the installer for a proposal showing the position of the charger, cable route, any groundworks and the proposed electrical connection. Put the following questions in writing:
- Who pays for the equipment, installation and any additional works?
- Who owns, maintains and insures the charger?
- How will shared access and parking be protected?
- What happens to the charger and cabling when you leave?
- Which other permissions are needed from the freeholder or managing agent?
Agree responsibilities rather than offering commitments you have not costed, such as automatic removal and reinstatement at the end of a tenancy.
If consent is refused
Ask for the reasons and whether a different location or proposal would address them. Establish whether you have approached the person authorised to decide. Keep the correspondence if you seek tenancy or leasehold advice.
Do not submit an application as though consent exists, or install while hoping to resolve it afterwards. Our grant timeline guide explains how permission fits the process.
For charging in the meantime, assess public or workplace options. A portable lead is not an automatic workaround for a refusal or an unsuitable electrical supply; see the interim charging guidance.
Common questions
Who applies for the renters and flat owners grant?
The applicant submits the application after getting the installer quote and documents. The installer submits the later claim after the approved installation.
Can a letting agent provide permission?
Confirm that the person giving consent has authority for the proposed work and parking space. Do not assume an agent can authorise alterations merely because they manage the tenancy.
What if I own the flat but lease the parking space separately?
Check the documents governing both the property and parking space. You may need permission from more than one party; ask the managing agent or a qualified adviser if the position is unclear.
Can a portable charger bypass a refusal?
Do not assume so. Portable charging still needs a suitable electrical supply, lawful access and any necessary property or highway permissions. Public charging may be the practical alternative.