Installing an EV charger: Seeking our permission and making the right choice

We’re supportive of customers making the move to electric vehicles and the environmental and financial benefits they bring.  

However, not all properties are suitable for a home charger. That’s why we assess each request individually to ensure safety and practicality. We also take into consideration the layout of your home and the local area in which you live. 

Yes. Today’s hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all electric cars are leading the way towards a more sustainable future. 

The Energy Savings Trust offer guidance and advice on the different types of electrical vehicles, along with potential charging costs.  You can also take a quiz to see if an EV will work with your lifestyle. 

Visit: Electric vehicles: all you need to know - Energy Saving Trust  
 

There are number of main types of EVCP parking solution, as outlined below. Where applicable, we have also set out the permission process for each.  

In-curtilage parking (e.g., your own driveway) 

This is the area where you park your car and sits within the ground immediately surrounding your home. Examples are shown below. 

You can apply by completing the application form, linked below. It’s simple and straightforward if the area is part of your property. 

Demised parking with a shared path 

If your allocated space is directly outside your home and is just across a shared path, you’ll need a pavement cable solution. Examples are shown below. 

Safety is key, so you’ll need to ensure that it’s possible to connect the EVCP directly to your homes electrical supply. 

On-street parking  

Before we can consider your application: 

• You’ll need to propose a Council/Local Authority approved pavement cable solution. Paving solutions allow EV owners to safely run a charging cable from an installed EVCP point to their vehicle, reducing the risk of cable trips.
• Written Council/Local Authority permission.  

We also recommend public liability insurance, often included in home contents insurance. Find out more about this in the Public Liability Insurance section below. 

Garden conversion (In-curtilage parking) 

It may be possible for you to obtain consent for a garden conversion to become off-street parking.  

Please refer to our Improving or Altering your Home webpage.

Once approved and completed, you can follow the customer application process outlined below. 

Communal car parks 

We cannot currently approve EVCP installations in apartments and flats whether or not you have an allocated space. This is due to the complexity of the installation process and future infrastructure requirements. 

If you live in a home that we cannot currently approve an EVCP installation but you are interested in having an electric/plug-in vehicle, you can complete our EV survey, which is linked below. This survey will enable us to gather data to help us plan for future solutions. 

[Link to online survey] 

Yes. Given the risk of trip or fire hazards relating to the EV charging point, whilst not a legal requirement, it is highly recommended that you obtain and provide evidence of suitable public liability insurance prior to installation and thereafter on an annual basis.  

Public liability insurance cover may be available under your existing Home Contents Insurance policy. We suggest that you: 

• Check your existing insurance policy as cover may already be in place.
• Look for Tenant’s Liability or Public Liability Insurance add-ons. If your current policy doesn’t cover it, providers may offer stand-alone options.
• Consider EV Charger Installer Insurance – some EV installation companies may offer optional public liability cover.
• Look at the Home Contents insurance scheme available on our website.

If you are not able to install a home charger, you still have options. 

• Public charging network – use sites like zap-map.com to find local chargers.
• Co Charger - find nearby EV charger ‘hosts‘ at co-charger.com
• Work or family/friends – you may be able to charge your EV at your workplace or with someone you trust 

Yes. If you install a home charger or pavement solution, please note that: 

• You are responsible for its maintenance.
• Chargers typically last over 5 years.
• Pavement solutions may need regular upkeep. 

Charging safely at home 

• Do not use an extension lead to charge your EV.
• Do not use communal sockets.
• We strongly recommend using a dedicated EV charge point for safety and compliance.  

Using public charging wisely 

• Rapid chargers are quick but often more expensive.
• Join major networks for membership discounts.
• Watch out for overstay and parking charges.
• Combine charging with shopping or errands when possible. 

Applying for permission to install an EV Charging Point 

To seek our permission to install an EV Charger Point, you can: 

• Complete our online application form, which is linked below: 

[Link to online form] 

• Download a copy of the form using the link below. Print it off, complete and return it to us: 

[Link to download form] 

EV Charger Permission Form 

Platform Housing Group  

1700 Solihull Park Way 

Birmingham Business Park 

Solihull 

Birmingham, B37 7YD 

• Call our Customer Hub on 0333 200 7304 and ask for an application form to be sent out to you. 

We aim to process applications within 28 working days of receipt of a complete Customer Application Form. The timescales may be extended in the event that further information is needed or during busy periods. 

We will consider each application based on its merits and against the key points highlighted below. 

Key Points that Platform will consider in determining your application  

• Can the charging equipment be enclosed completely within land owned/allocated to the applicant (in curtilage parking).
• If the parking space is away from the home is the space owned/allocated to the applicant?
• Will the car be parked on a road rather than in a designated parking space?
• If cabling needs to cross over Platform owned/ managed land (or building): 
• How would this be achieved? 
• Is the managed land intended for communal use? 
• How is the managed land used, and by whom? 
• Will a cabling solution increase risks of trips/ falls?
• Will extensive work be required to any managed land?
• Is the EV installer suitably registered and insured?
• Is the proposed charger wall mounted or a parking post?
• What is the power input/output of the charger to be installed?
• Does the charger require a communal power supply, or can it be fed from the applicant’s property?
• Is the EV charger required to support a Motability vehicle (or similar) and if so, are any reasonable adjustments possible?
• Are there any third-party rights/agreements that need to be considered? 
• Is the proposed EV charger in a conservation area or as part of a listed building?