Landlords are being encouraged to take advantage of government grants for installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points as tenant demand grows and the UK accelerates its push towards zero-emission transport.

The government’s EV charge point grant for landlords, administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), offers funding of up to £500 per socket – after a recent increase from 1st April -, covering 75% of installation costs for eligible properties with off-street parking. The scheme forms part of wider efforts to expand the UK’s charging infrastructure ahead of the planned 2030 phase-out of new non-hybrid petrol and diesel cars.

Landlords can apply for the grant through an OZEV-approved installer, who typically manages the application process on their behalf and this must be approved before installation begins. Full eligibility criteria are set out in government guidance on the EV charge point grant for landlords.

Scheme

The scheme applies to rented residential properties and flats, including those owned by companies or professional landlords. Each landlord can receive funding for up to 200 residential properties per financial year, although grants are limited to one charge point per eligible parking space.

To qualify, properties must also have dedicated off-street parking, and the installed charge point must meet OZEV technical standards and be installed by a government-approved provider. Installers must also ensure the charge point complies with the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, which require devices to include smart functionality such as scheduled charging and demand response capabilities.

Further information about the application process is available through the government’s EV grant portal.

Demand

Demand for EV charging infrastructure is expected to grow quickly as vehicle ownership patterns change. The UK currently has more than one million plug-in vehicles on the road, according to the Department for Transport, with registrations increasing each year as manufacturers expand their electric ranges.

For landlords, providing access to charging facilities is increasingly seen as a good way to attract tenants and future-proof rental properties. Homes with off-street parking are particularly well placed to benefit from installation schemes because they can accommodate private charging points without needing public infrastructure.

However, installing EV chargers can present practical challenges, especially in older buildings or multi-occupancy properties. Electrical capacity upgrades might be needed if the existing supply cannot support additional charging loads, and landlords who own flats may need to coordinate installations across shared parking areas or communal electrical systems.

Eligible

They might also be eligible for separate EV infrastructure grants that help fund the cost of upgrading cabling and distribution systems in car parks serving flats or apartment blocks. These grants are also administered by OZEV and designed to support future expansion of charge point networks in residential developments.

Government guidance on EV charge point and infrastructure specifications can be found here.

Local authorities are also playing a role in expanding charging access. Some have introduced supplementary funding schemes or pilot programmes aimed at accelerating installation in residential areas where private off-street parking is limited.

Industry bodies say landlords should begin planning for EV infrastructure early, particularly as demand rises and installation capacity tightens. As the government continues to invest in charging networks and EV adoption grows, the availability of private charging facilities is likely to become an increasingly important factor for tenants when choosing where to live. Landlords who install charge points now should be better placed to meet future demand.

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