Electric Vehicle Charging point installations at council properties

Home charger installations - frequently asked questions

Installing an electric vehicle charger at your council home

If you are a council tenant and want to charge an electric car at home, you must get our permission before installing a charging point. This page explains who can apply, where chargers can be installed, what rules you need to follow, and what documents we need from you. It also explains your options if you cannot install a charger at home. The aim is to help you charge your vehicle safely, legally and without causing problems for others.

Do I need permission?

Yes. We own the property, so you must have our written permission before installing an electric vehicle charging point. This also applies if you plan to apply for government funding towards the cost of installation.

Do not start any work until we have approved your request.

Who can apply?

You can apply if:

you rent a house from us
you have off‑street parking with a dropped kerb and hard standing
you can park your car next to your home

We cannot give permission if:

you live in a flat
you do not have a legal right to a specific parking space
the charging cable would cross a pavement or other public land

Charging cables must never run across pavements, even for short periods. This is unsafe and against the law.

Where should the charger go?

Your charger should be:

close to where you normally park
positioned so the cable does not stretch, trail across walkways or create a trip hazard
away from the road and at least two metres from the highway

You need a dedicated electrical connection from your home’s consumer unit to the charger location.

Before choosing a charger, check the cable length. Make sure it reaches your vehicle easily without pulling tight or forcing you to park at an awkward angle.

Electrical upgrades and inspections

If the installer finds that your consumer unit or other electrical equipment needs upgrading, you must contact us before any work starts. We will explain whether this counts as a normal repair or a chargeable one.

After installation, we inspect the electrical system every five years as part of our regular testing programme. If we find unsafe work or installations we were not told about, we may pass this to the local housing office, and you may have to pay for repairs.

Who can install the charger?

Only a properly qualified installer can fit your charging point. The installer must:

be registered with a recognised competent person scheme
fit a charger with built‑in safety protection
make sure the charger can run safely on your power supply
notify the distribution network operator about the installation

If the local electricity supply limits how much power can be used, the installer must set up the charger to match what is available.

What documents do I need before work starts?

Before we give permission, you must provide:

proof of the installer’s qualifications
proof that the installer is an approved contractor

We may ask for more details if needed.

What documents do I need after installation?

Once the work is finished, you must send us:

a copy of the electrical installation certificate
the make and model of the charger
a clear photo of the installed unit
proof that the distribution network operator was notified

What if I want to remove the charger?

If you no longer want the charger, you must remove it and put the wall or ground back to its original condition as soon as possible. This is required under current regulations.

Charging options if you cannot install a charger

If home charging is not possible, you can still charge your vehicle by:

using public charging points
charging at work, if available
charging at the home of a friend or family member, where permitted
using charger‑sharing schemes

Take action

Check if you meet the parking and property rules
Choose a qualified installer
Apply for permission before work begins
Explore public charging options if home charging is not suitable

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