How to charge an EV when you rent
Renters have the fewest rights and the most options to negotiate. A few states give tenants a legal right to request a charger. Everywhere else, it is a conversation with your landlord, and the right proposal makes yes much easier.
States with tenant charging laws
- California requires many landlords to approve a tenant's written request to install a charger at the tenant's own expense, for leases signed, renewed or extended on or after July 1, 2015. Exemptions include properties with fewer than five parking spaces and leases without parking.
- Colorado lets tenants install Level 1 or Level 2 chargers at their own expense, with the landlord allowed to charge reasonable fees and set safety and appearance standards.
- Illinois lets tenants install a charger at their designated parking space. Landlords can recover electricity and upgrade costs and take a deposit for restoration.
Other states are adding protections, so check the state law page and confirm the current statute.
If your state has no tenant law
Make the landlord's decision easy. Landlords worry about four things: cost, liability, the electric bill, and what happens when you move out. Address each one in writing:
- Start small. Ask to use an existing 120V outlet near your space for Level 1 charging. It may cover your daily driving.
- Offer to pay. For a new circuit, offer to pay for installation by a licensed, insured electrician with a permit.
- Solve the electric bill. Wire from your own unit's meter, or propose a flat monthly fee or a charger that measures usage.
- Cover liability. Offer to carry renter's liability insurance that covers the charger.
- Agree on move-out. Say whether the charger stays (often a plus for the next tenant) or you remove it and restore the wall.
When home charging is not possible
Many renters charge at work, at a Level 2 station near home overnight, or with a weekly DC fast-charging stop. See charging without home parking.
Next step
Find the guide for where you live. Choose your living situation and read the charging guide written for it. Ready for an electrician? Request an installation quote.
Choose your charging guideGet an installation quoteCommon questions
Can my landlord refuse to let me install an EV charger?
In California, Colorado and Illinois, tenants have legal rights to request a charger under conditions set by state law. In most other states, landlords can refuse, so a written proposal that covers cost, insurance, electricity and move-out works best.
Who pays for an EV charger in an apartment?
Under the tenant laws in California, Colorado and Illinois, the tenant generally pays for installation and electricity, and the landlord can recover related costs.