Installing an EV charging station as a tenant: the right to a charge point

You rent your home and you've just switched to an electric car: before long, the question of charging at home comes up. The good news is that being a tenant doesn't prevent you from installing a charging station at home. In France, a measure known as the « right to a charge point » specifically allows a tenant to equip their parking space, provided they follow an information procedure. Here's how it works in practice, what changes between a rented house and a condominium flat, and the steps to carry out your project with peace of mind.

The right to a charge point: what exactly is it

The « right to a charge point » refers to the option, for the occupant of a home with a parking space, to have an electric-vehicle charge point installed at their own expense. This right doesn't only apply to owners: a tenant can benefit from it too.

The core idea is simple. You don't need to obtain a discretionary approval that could be refused without reason: the law frames the process to make it easier to equip parking spaces. In return, you must inform the right parties (your landlord, and where applicable the condominium's building manager) and follow the procedure set out by the regulations in force.

Two principles underpin this right:

• The installation costs are borne by the applicant, meaning you, the tenant, unless a specific agreement is reached with the owner.
• A refusal can only be raised for a serious and legitimate reason, for example a genuine technical impossibility or works that are already scheduled.

The exact procedure, the response deadlines and the precise list of grounds for refusal are governed by the regulations in force, which may change. Before launching your project, check the deadlines and formalities that apply at the time of your request, or get expert support.

Tenant in a detached house: the simplest case

If you rent a detached house with a garage or a private parking space, your situation is generally the most straightforward. There's no condominium, so no building manager or general meeting to involve.

One key contact remains: your landlord. Since the works affect the rented home, the usual practice is to inform them in writing of your intention to install a charging station. This notice lets the owner know the nature of the works, their location and the conditions of the installation.

In this scenario, the technical project is often simple:

• The electrical panel and the meter are specific to your home.
• The charging station connects to your installation, and the consumption goes onto your contract.
• The cable run to the parking space is generally short.

The decisive step remains the technical assessment: checking the available power, the condition of the panel and the connection distance. This is what determines feasibility and the real cost, far more than being a tenant in itself.

Tenant in a flat: the condominium comes into play

When you rent a condominium flat with a parking space (underground or outdoors), things get a little more complex, because neither the space nor the common areas belong to you, nor necessarily to your landlord.

Here, two levels overlap:

• The relationship with your owner, who must be informed of your charging project.
• The relationship with the condominium, represented by the building manager, since the installation generally uses common areas (cable run, connection) to reach your space.

It's precisely for these situations that the right to a charge point makes full sense: it aims to prevent a tenant from being blocked for lack of an agreement. You remain responsible for the funding, but the procedure is designed so that your request is examined under clear rules rather than left to everyone's goodwill.

Private space or common-area space

The detail matters. Depending on whether your parking space is a private lot attached to the rented home or a space belonging to the common areas with exclusive use, the formalities may differ. The preliminary assessment identifies the exact status of your space, which avoids unpleasant surprises.

Do you need the owner's or landlord's approval

This is the question that comes up most often. The answer calls for some nuance, because « informing » and « obtaining a discretionary authorisation » are not the same thing.

In the spirit of the right to a charge point, the tenant notifies the landlord of their intention. The owner is thus kept informed and may, within the framework set by the regulations, raise any serious and legitimate reason for opposing the works. Absent such a reason, the project is intended to be able to move forward.

In practice, this means:

• You send a written notification to the owner, describing your project (type of charging station, location, nature of the works).
• The owner has, under the regulations in force, a framework within which to respond or to object if there is a valid reason.
• In the absence of a serious and legitimate reason, the tenant can proceed with their project.

The precise terms of this notification, the time given to the landlord to react and the conditions for objecting are set by the texts in force. Don't rely on a timeframe « heard somewhere »: check the deadlines that apply at the time of your request.

To make this step easier for you, Volticom provides a template letter of notice tailored to your situation (rented house or condominium flat), to be completed and sent to your contact.

Notifying the building manager in a rented condominium

In a flat, an additional party is involved: the condominium building manager. Since the installation most often runs through common areas, the condominium must be informed of the project.

The logic is the same as for the landlord: this is a framed notice, not a request for authorisation left to the general meeting's free judgement. The condominium, via the building manager, is notified of the project and may, under the conditions set by the regulations, oppose it for a serious and legitimate reason — for example if a collective charging infrastructure has already been decided or is under way.

In practice, for a tenant:

• You (or your installer) send the building manager the details describing the planned installation.
• The building manager informs the condominium according to the prescribed procedure.
• Absent a well-founded objection within the regulatory framework, the project can proceed.

The aim isn't to multiply obstacles, but to ensure the installation respects the building's safety and the consistency of the collective equipment. An installer used to condominiums knows how to prepare a clear file that reassures the building manager and smooths the exchange.

Who pays for installing the charging station

The principle is clear: under the right to a charge point, it's the tenant making the request who covers the costs of installing their own charging station. You fund the assessment, the equipment, the fitting and the connection to your electrical installation.

This generally includes:

• The charging station itself and its accessories.
• The cabling and the run to your space.
• The fitting and connection by a qualified installer.
• Where applicable, adaptations to your electrical panel.

In return, the energy consumed goes onto your contract, and the charging station remains your equipment. Financial subsidies may exist depending on the regulations in force and your situation: their availability and conditions change, so it's better to check them at the time of your project rather than counting on a given amount.

What if the owner wants to contribute or install it themselves

Nothing prevents an amicable agreement. Some owners choose to install a charging station themselves to add value to their property, or to share the costs. These are private arrangements, separate from the right to a charge point, which by default remains the tenant's initiative and at their expense.

Individual charging station or collective infrastructure

In a condominium, two approaches coexist and it's helpful to distinguish them, because they don't involve the same parties.

• The individual charging station under the right to a charge point: you, the tenant, equip your own space only, at your own expense, connected to your home. It's fast and self-contained, ideal when the condominium has no overall project.
• The collective infrastructure: the condominium decides to equip the car park with shared infrastructure, to which each occupant can then connect. This is a decision that belongs to the condominium, not to the tenant alone.

For a tenant, the individual charging station route is often the most accessible, since it doesn't depend on a collective vote. If a collective infrastructure has already been voted or is being prepared, your installer takes this into account to propose the solution most consistent with what already exists.

What happens if you move out

It's a legitimate concern for any tenant: you're funding a charging station on a home that doesn't belong to you. What becomes of it when you leave?

Two scenarios are possible, to anticipate from the outset:

• Leave the charging station in place: it can benefit the home and, where applicable, the next occupant. This can be the subject of an agreement with the owner.
• Take your charging station with you: if your installation was designed for it, the equipment can be removed and reinstalled elsewhere.

That's why, for tenants, Volticom favours a removable charging station: designed to be taken down cleanly when you move out, without needless damage to the home. This way you keep control of your investment, whether you stay or not.

A few useful reflexes before the fitting:

• Keep the supporting documents for the installation and the notification sent to the landlord.
• Document the initial condition of the space and the home.
• Clarify in writing, with the owner, the fate of the charging station at the end of the lease.

The practical steps with Volticom

For a tenant, success comes down to a clear sequence, where each step secures the next. Here's how we proceed.

1. First discussion and feasibility study: we identify your situation (rented house or condominium flat), the status of your space and your charging needs.
2. Template letter provided: we give you a notice template to send to your landlord, and where applicable to the building manager, tailored to your case.
3. Technical assessment: checking the available power, the condition of the panel, the cable run and the distance to the space.
4. Detailed quote: transparent pricing, with no surprises, taking into account the removable nature of the installation if you wish.
5. Fitting by a qualified installer: the installation is carried out to professional standards, with QUALIFELEC-qualified IRVE fitting.
6. Commissioning and support: we check that everything works properly and explain day-to-day use.

Volticom, an IRVE installer based in Paris, works with private customers, whether tenants or owners. Our installations come with a decennial liability insurance policy with AXA, subject to the declared activities, limits and terms of the current insurance certificate and AXA insurance, for lasting peace of mind.

FAQ: installing a charging station when you're a tenant

Can an owner refuse to let me install a charging station?

Under the right to a charge point, a refusal can only rest on a serious and legitimate reason, such as a genuine technical impossibility or works already scheduled. It isn't a discretionary authorisation. The grounds and the procedure are governed by the regulations in force, to be checked at the time of your request.

Do I need approval from the condominium's general meeting?

For an individual charging station under the right to a charge point, the logic is one of informing the building manager, not a vote of authorisation. The condominium can object under the conditions set by the texts, for example if a collective infrastructure has already been decided. Get expert support to put together a clear file.

Who pays for the installation, me or my owner?

By default, it's the tenant making the request who funds the installation of their own charging station. An owner may nonetheless choose to contribute or to install equipment themselves: these are then amicable agreements, separate from the right to a charge point.

And if I move out, do I lose my charging station?

Not necessarily. A charging station designed to be removable can be taken down and reinstalled elsewhere. You can also agree with the owner to leave it in place. The key is to anticipate this point at the time of installation and to clarify it in writing.

How much does it cost to install a charging station for a tenant?

The price depends on your space, the connection distance and the power chosen (7.4, 11 or 22 kW), so it's defined by quote. Volticom prices your project free of charge and with no commitment within 48 hours, across France, with a detailed price: you know exactly what to expect before you decide.

Can I install the charging station myself to save money?

No: beyond a simple reinforced socket, installing a charging station is a job for a QUALIFELEC-qualified IRVE professional, with a 30 mA Type B residual-current circuit breaker and compliance with the NF C 15-100 standard. An unqualified fitting deprives you of the ADVENIR scheme (subject to its rules, subject to eligibility), the warranty and the insurance cover; a fitting carried out to professional standards is far better.

How long does the fitting take once the quote is accepted?

In most cases, the installation is done within a timeframe confirmed after the site assessment, with no major works or lengthy disruption to your home. The overall timeframe mainly depends on the step of informing the landlord and the building manager, which we make easier thanks to a template letter provided to save time.

What guarantees do I have as a tenant if something goes wrong?

Every Volticom installation comes with a decennial liability insurance policy with AXA, subject to the declared activities, limits and terms of the current insurance certificate, with responsive after-sales support if needed. You keep control of your investment, including if you move out, thanks to a charging station designed to be removable and reinstalled elsewhere.

Is a 7.4 kW charging station enough to charge at home overnight?

For the vast majority of tenants, a single-phase 7.4 kW charging station fully charges the car overnight, which more than covers daily journeys. If your installation allows it and your needs are higher, we also offer 11 or 22 kW: our free technical assessment determines the power genuinely suited to your space and your vehicle.

Can I call on Volticom anywhere in France?

Yes: based in Paris, we operate throughout France via our network of partner installers qualified QUALIFELEC IRVE and RGE. To launch your project, request your free quote within 48 hours, across France on 09 55 92 66 32 or at contact@volticom.fr, with no commitment on your part.

Launch your project with complete peace of mind

Being a tenant is no barrier to charging at home: the right to a charge point is precisely there to let you equip your space, provided you follow the applicable information procedure. Rented house or condominium flat, each situation has its specifics, but none is an insurmountable obstacle. Volticom supports you from start to finish: free assessment and quote, template letter provided to inform your owner and your building manager, QUALIFELEC IRVE fitting, removable charging station in case you move out, decennial liability insurance policy with AXA, subject to the declared activities, limits and terms of the current insurance certificate and AXA insurance. Let's talk about your project: we check feasibility and guide you at every step.