Some properties benefit from an electric car charging point which reflects the increased use of electric vehicles as modes of transport.
Electric cars are becoming more popular amongst drivers, as their running costs are deemed to be lower than a petrol or diesel car and charging an electric vehicle at home is anticipated to be cheaper than filling up a regular car. Even with the recent rise in energy costs.
Despite the Government delaying the ban on petrol and diesel cars until 2035 the use of electric cars in still anticipated to increase over the next few years and from June 2022 it became a legal requirement for all new build homes to have electric charging points.
Does having an electric car charging point add value to a property?
It is generally considered to be a positive factor if there is an electric charging point on your property as this provides future proofing. As the desirability of houses with electric charging points increases, this in turn adds value to your property.
Can I take my EV charger with me when I move house?
While the cabling that enables the electric charging point will be left behind, it’s possible to take the charging unit with you if you’re moving to a new home. You would need to employ a registered engineer to deal with the uninstallation and making of the cabling safe and the reinstallation at a new property.
What are the legalities when purchasing a property with an electric car charging point?
When purchasing a property that has an electric charging point, your surveyor may refer to ensuring that there is certification for this.
It must be considered whether the property you are proposing to purchase is a listed building or within a conservation area as if this is the case, planning permission and if relevant, listed building consent may have been required for the installation.
Do you need planning permission for a home EV charger?
Individual Council’s planning requirements should be checked but generally if the Property is not a listed building or within a conservation area, Schedule 2, Part 2, Class D of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) states that planning permission is not required for the installation of a wall mounted electrical outlet for recharging of electric vehicles as long as the area is lawfully used for off–street parking i.e. a driveway.
For installation to be classed as permitted development, the electrical outlet (and its casing) must not exceed 0.2 cubic metres, not face onto and be within two metres of a highway, not be within a site designated as a scheduled monument or be within the curtilage of a listed building.
Schedule 2, Part 2, Class E of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) states that planning permission is not required for the installation of an upstand with an electrical outlet mounted on it for recharging electric vehicles, as long as the area is lawfully used for off–street parking.
For installation to be classed as permitted development, the electrical upstand and the outlet must not exceed 2.3 metres in height from the level of the surface used for the parking of vehicles, not be within two metres of a highway, not be within a site designated as a scheduled monument, not be within the curtilage of a listed building or result in more than one upstand being provided for each parking space.
Do you need to notify Building Control when purchasing a house with an electrical charging point?
With regard to Building Regulations, as the installation of an electrical charging point creates a new electrical circuit, you must ensure that Building Control have been notified and issued a Completion Certificate or that a compliance certificate from a suitably qualified and competent electrical installer has been supplied i.e. NICEIC, NAPIT or similar.
Restricted covenants and an electrical charging points
It must also be considered whether any restrictive covenants on the title to the property restrict the installation of an electrical charging point. For instance, due to any nuisance that it may cause or maintaining the appearance of a property, and whether consent for the installation of an electrical charging point is required for any alterations or additions to a property.
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