Flat and Apartment EV Charging UK 2025: Complete Installation Guide

Flat and Apartment EV Charging UK 2025: Complete Installation Guide

Charging an electric vehicle when you live in a UK flat or apartment presents unique challenges that homeowners with driveways don't face. With approximately 40% of UK households living in flats, apartments, or properties without dedicated off-street parking, finding practical EV charging solutions is crucial for the country's electric vehicle transition.

The good news? The legal landscape, technology, and infrastructure for flat and apartment EV charging have improved dramatically in recent years. The OZEV grant now explicitly covers eligible flat dwellers, new legislation protects leaseholder charging rights, and innovative charging solutions make installation increasingly viable.

This comprehensive guide explains everything UK flat and apartment residents need to know about home EV charging—from OZEV grant eligibility and building consent processes to shared parking solutions and alternative charging strategies.

Understanding the Challenge: Why Flat EV Charging is Complex

The Fundamental Issues

Shared infrastructure: Unlike houses, flats share electrical supplies, parking spaces, and building exteriors, requiring collective decision-making.

Leasehold restrictions: Most flat owners are leaseholders, not freeholders, meaning building alterations require freeholder and/or managing agent consent.

Electrical capacity constraints: Older apartment blocks may lack the electrical capacity to support multiple EV chargers without costly infrastructure upgrades.

Allocated vs unallocated parking: Having a dedicated parking space dramatically simplifies installation compared to shared, first-come parking bays.

Shared costs: Installing charging infrastructure in communal areas involves complex cost-sharing arrangements between residents.

UK Legal Protections for Leaseholders (2022 Update)

Since June 2022, the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 and updated building regulations provide stronger rights for leaseholders wanting to install EV chargers:

Right to request: Leaseholders can formally request permission to install a charger at their own expense. Freeholders cannot unreasonably refuse if the installation meets safety standards.

Reasonable consent: Freeholders must respond to installation requests within 28 days and can only refuse for legitimate reasons (structural concerns, electrical capacity issues, etc.).

Government support: The legislation recognises EV charging as a reasonable building improvement, shifting the burden of proof to freeholders who wish to refuse.

These protections don't guarantee automatic approval, but they provide a legal framework for flat dwellers to pursue charging installation.

OZEV Grant Eligibility for Flats and Apartments

Who Qualifies?

The OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant (£350 per socket, up to £3,500 total across 10 sockets) is specifically available for flat and apartment residents:

Eligible properties:

• Flats in apartment buildings
• Properties with shared parking facilities
• Purpose-built flats and maisonettes
• Converted properties with multiple dwellings
• Residential park homes (some restrictions apply)

Key eligibility criteria:

1. Off-street parking: Must have access to an off-street parking space (shared or allocated)
2. Ownership or permission: Either own the property or have landlord/freeholder permission
3. OZEV-approved charger: Must install an OZEV-approved smart charger
4. Authorised installer: Installation by OZEV-approved installer required
5. Smart functionality: Charger must be capable of smart charging (all modern chargers qualify)

Important: The grant covers both allocated parking spaces (assigned to your flat) and unallocated shared spaces (if installation benefits multiple residents).

OZEV Grant Process for Flat Dwellers

Step 1: Confirm your parking space eligibility with an OZEV-approved installer Step 2: Obtain building consent (see section below) Step 3: Choose OZEV-approved charger and get installation quote Step 4: Installer applies for grant on your behalf during installation booking Step 5: Installation completed and grant automatically deducted from invoice

The grant application happens behind the scenes—you don't need to apply separately. The installer handles OZEV grant claims as part of the installation process.

Costs After OZEV Grant

Typical flat installation costs:

• Simple allocated parking space: £900-£1,400 (after £350 grant)
• Complex shared parking: £1,200-£2,000 (after grant)
• Electrical upgrade required: £1,500-£2,500 (after grant)

Flat installations often cost £200-£600 more than house installations due to:

• Longer cable runs from consumer units to car parks
• Underground or conduit cable routing
• Need for specialised mounting solutions
• Additional electrical assessments and building consent processes

Building Consent: Navigating Freeholder and Management Approval

Who Needs to Approve Your Charger?

For most flat dwellers, you'll need approval from:

1. Freeholder/Landlord: Legal property owner (often a property company, housing association, or individual) 2. Managing Agent: Company managing the building on behalf of the freeholder 3. Residents' Association: Some buildings require residents' committee approval for communal area changes 4. Building Insurer: Insurance company may need notification for alterations

Formal Request Process

Step 1: Initial inquiry (Week 1)

Contact your freeholder/managing agent in writing:

Template email:

Subject: Formal Request for EV Charger Installation Permission

Dear [Freeholder/Managing Agent],

I am writing to formally request permission to install an electric vehicle charger at [Property Address], in accordance with my rights under the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022.

Parking Space: [Allocated space number / communal space location] Proposed charger: OZEV-approved 7kW smart charger Installation: By OZEV-authorised electrician, fully insured and certified Electrical work: Compliant with BS 7671 (18th Edition) and Building Regulations Part P

I am happy to provide detailed installation plans, electrician credentials, and insurance documentation. The installation will be at my expense and will not affect building electrical capacity or structure.

Please confirm receipt of this request and advise on any additional documentation required. Under current legislation, I understand you have 28 days to respond.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely, [Your name]

Step 2: Provide technical documentation (Week 1-2)

Arrange site survey with OZEV-approved installer to produce:

• Installation plan showing cable routes and charger location
• Electrical capacity assessment
• Risk assessment and method statement
• Insurance certificates (public and professional liability)
• Installer credentials (NICEIC/NAPIT registration)

Forward these to your freeholder/managing agent.

Step 3: Address concerns (Week 2-4)

Freeholders commonly raise these concerns:

"Electrical capacity insufficient": Arrange load assessment by qualified electrician. Modern 7kW chargers with load balancing rarely require building upgrades.

"Insurance implications": Confirm your installer carries £5-10 million public liability insurance and provides 10-year workmanship warranty.

"Visual impact concerns": Show discreet charger options (EO Mini Pro, Easee One) and neat cable routing plans.

"Precedent for other residents": Emphasise government push for EV infrastructure and offer to coordinate collective installations (shared costs for multiple residents).

"Lease restrictions": Review your lease carefully. Most standard leases allow reasonable improvements. If lease explicitly prohibits alterations, you may need formal lease variation (legal process, potentially requiring solicitor).

Step 4: Formal approval (Week 4-6)

Once approved, ensure you receive:

• Written approval letter from freeholder
• Any conditions (cable routing, charger specifications, etc.)
• Confirmation of insurance notification
• Agreement on maintenance responsibilities

If Permission Is Refused

If your freeholder unreasonably refuses:

1. Request detailed justification: They must provide specific, legitimate reasons. 2. Address stated concerns: Work with installer to resolve technical issues. 3. Seek mediation: LEASE (Leasehold Advisory Service) offers free dispute mediation. 4. Legal challenge: As a last resort, apply to First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to challenge unreasonable refusal.

Under current legislation, freeholders cannot arbitrarily refuse without genuine structural, safety, or capacity concerns.

Shared Parking Solutions: Communal Charging Infrastructure

Dual-Benefit Installations

If your building has unallocated or partially allocated parking, consider proposing communal charging infrastructure benefiting multiple residents:

OZEV Group Installation:

• Grant covers up to 10 sockets per building (£3,500 total)
• Shared infrastructure costs across multiple flats
• Increases building value and appeal
• Future-proofs the property

Cost sharing example:

5-charger communal installation:

• Total cost: £7,500 (before grant)
• OZEV grant: £1,750 (5 × £350)
• Net cost: £5,750
• Shared among 5 residents: £1,150 each

This often proves cheaper than individual installations due to shared infrastructure (cabling, electrical work).

Smart Load Management for Multiple Chargers

When installing multiple chargers in apartment blocks, dynamic load management is essential:

How it works: A master controller monitors building electrical load and distributes available capacity across all chargers, preventing electrical overload.

Key benefits:

• Avoids expensive electrical infrastructure upgrades (£10,000-50,000+ for building-wide upgrades)
• Ensures charging continues even when building demand is high (reduces power to chargers temporarily)
• Compliant with UK building regulations for multi-dwelling installations

Compatible systems:

• Easee Equalizer (up to 101 chargers on single circuit)
• Wallbox Power Boost (dynamic balancing across chargers)
• Zappi with load management hub
• Ohme Pro with multi-charger coordination

Expect load management systems to add £500-£1,200 to installation costs, but this is far cheaper than building electrical upgrades.

Metering and Cost Recovery

For communal installations, you need clear electricity cost recovery:

Option 1: Individual sub-meters (Recommended)

• Each charger connected to resident's flat electricity supply
• User pays directly on their energy bill
• Requires cable run from flat consumer unit to parking space
• Cost: £50-£150 per sub-meter installation

Option 2: Communal meter with billing system

• All chargers connected to building communal supply
• Smart chargers track individual usage
• Monthly billing by managing agent or third-party service
• Cost: £100-£300 monthly service fee (split among users)
• Risk of billing disputes

Option 3: Payment terminal system

• Public-style charging with payment card or app
• Used in larger developments or semi-public spaces
• Cost: £500-£1,000 setup per charger + transaction fees
• Feels less convenient than home charging

Recommendation: Individual sub-metering offers simplest cost recovery and most "home-like" charging experience.

Alternative Solutions When Installation Isn't Possible

Scenario 1: No Parking Space at All

If your flat has no dedicated or shared parking:

Council on-street charging schemes: Many UK councils offer kerbside chargers:

• London: 5,000+ lamp-post chargers (Ubitricity, Connected Kerb)
• Scotland: ChargePlace Scotland network
• Other councils: Check local authority EV charging schemes

Application: Apply through council website. Eligibility usually requires:

• Proof of EV ownership/order
• Proof of residence without off-street parking
• Demonstrate need for local charging point

Costs: Typically 25-40p/kWh (cheaper than rapid charging, more expensive than home)

Waiting times: High-demand areas may have 6-18 month wait lists

Scenario 2: Temporary Refusal During Building Upgrades

If your freeholder cites legitimate electrical capacity concerns:

Request timeline: Ask when building electrical upgrades are planned Interim solutions: Public charging networks or workplace charging Revisit request: Formal re-application once upgrades complete Collective action: Organise residents to fund shared upgrade costs

Scenario 3: Listed Buildings or Conservation Areas

Extra planning restrictions apply:

Planning permission required: EV charger installations in listed buildings or conservation areas need local authority approval Discrete mounting: Choose smallest, least visible chargers (Easee One, EO Mini Pro) Internal routing: Cable routes inside building rather than external conduits Heritage officer consultation: Early engagement with local conservation officer advisable

Process: 8-12 weeks for planning approval. Approval rates are high for discrete, sensitively designed installations.

Best Chargers for Flat and Apartment Installation

Top Picks for Compact Spaces

1. Easee One (£825-£975 installed)

• Smallest footprint: 17cm diameter
• Built-in load balancing (up to 3 chargers without extra hardware)
• 4G connectivity (no building WiFi needed)
• Modular design allows future upgrades
• Best for: Tight parking spaces, multi-charger installations

2. EO Mini Pro 3 (£850-£1,000 installed)

• Compact: 205mm × 140mm
• 4G connectivity (independent of building network)
• British design and support
• Simple, reliable operation
• Best for: Simple, low-maintenance installations

3. Wallbox Pulsar Plus (£750-£900 installed)

• Excellent value
• Sleek design in multiple colours
• Power Boost load management
• Strong app functionality
• Best for: Budget-conscious buyers wanting smart features

4. Ohme Home Pro (£850-£950 installed)

• Best smart tariff integration (Octopus Intelligent Go)
• Dual WiFi/4G connectivity
• Compact design
• Load balancing with CT clamp
• Best for: Maximising energy cost savings

Key Features for Flat Installations

Must-have features:

• 4G connectivity: Avoids dependence on building WiFi (essential if communal WiFi is unreliable)
• Load balancing capability: For multi-charger installations or limited electrical capacity
• Compact design: Maximises available space in tight car parks
• OZEV approval: Required for grant eligibility
• Robust build (IP65 rating): For underground car parks or exposed locations

Nice-to-have features:

• Smart tariff integration: Octopus Intelligent Go, OVO Charge Anytime compatibility
• App scheduling: Charge during cheap overnight rates
• Cable management: Integrated tidies for neat appearance
• Theft protection: Locked cable attachment in shared spaces

Tethered vs Untethered for Flats

Untethered (socket only) recommended for flats:

Pros:

• Stores cable in car (less vulnerable to damage/theft in shared spaces)
• Universal compatibility if multiple flat residents use charger
• Cable protected from wear when not in use
• Cheaper cable replacement if needed (£150 vs £400 for tethered)

Cons:

• Must carry charging cable
• Less convenient for daily use

Verdict: For shared parking spaces or communal installations, untethered chargers offer better flexibility and lower maintenance costs.

Cost Breakdown: What to Budget

Flat EV Charging Installation Costs UK 2025

Simple allocated parking installation:

• Charger unit: £500-£800
• Standard installation (up to 15m cable): £400-£600
• Subtotal: £900-£1,400
• OZEV grant: -£350
• Net cost: £550-£1,050

Complex communal parking installation:

• Charger unit: £500-£800
• Extended cable run (15-30m): £600-£1,000
• Underground conduit work: £200-£400
• Load balancing hardware: £100-£300
• Subtotal: £1,400-£2,500
• OZEV grant: -£350
• Net cost: £1,050-£2,150

Multi-charger communal installation (5 chargers):

• 5× charger units: £2,500-£4,000
• Shared infrastructure: £2,000-£3,500
• Load management system: £1,000-£2,000
• Subtotal: £5,500-£9,500
• OZEV grant (5× £350): -£1,750
• Net cost: £3,750-£7,750
• Per flat (÷5): £750-£1,550 each

Ongoing Costs

Electricity (charging at home):

• Standard tariff (24p/kWh): £720/year (10,000 miles)
• Smart EV tariff (7p/kWh overnight): £210/year (10,000 miles)
• Annual saving vs standard: £510/year

Maintenance:

• Annual visual inspection: Free (self-check)
• Electrical inspection (every 3-5 years): £50-£150
• Cable replacement (if tethered): £200-£400 (every 5-10 years)

Building service charges:

• Some managing agents add nominal charge to service fees for communal charger management: £10-£50/year

Hidden Costs to Consider

Building consent fees: Some managing agents charge administration fees for processing charger requests: £50-£250

Structural surveys: In older buildings, freeholders may request independent structural assessment before approval: £200-£500 (sometimes required, often negotiable)

Lease variation legal costs: If formal lease amendment needed: £500-£1,500 (rare, only if lease explicitly prohibits EV chargers)

Planning permission (listed buildings): £206 application fee (2025 rates)

Real-World Case Studies: Flat EV Charging Success Stories

Case Study 1: Allocated Parking, Modern Apartment Block

Location: Manchester, 2019-built apartment block Resident: Sarah, 2nd-floor flat with allocated underground parking space Challenge: Obtaining freeholder permission and routing cable from flat to parking space 30 metres away

Solution:

• Formal request with full installation plan from OZEV installer
• Freeholder approved within 3 weeks (no concerns raised)
• Charger: Wallbox Pulsar Plus (untethered)
• Installation: Cable routed through communal ceiling void to parking space
• Cost: £1,150 - £350 OZEV grant = £800 net

Outcome: Charging since November 2024. Saving £45-50/month vs public charging. Freeholder received 3 more installation requests following Sarah's successful installation.

Case Study 2: Shared Parking, Victorian Conversion

Location: Edinburgh, Victorian house converted to 4 flats Residents: James (flat 2) and two neighbours Challenge: Unallocated parking (4 spaces for 4 flats), older building with limited electrical capacity

Solution:

• James coordinated with 2 EV-owning neighbours to propose communal installation
• Electrical survey confirmed capacity for 3× 7kW chargers with load balancing
• Chargers: 3× Easee One (built-in load management)
• Installation: Shared infrastructure reduced individual costs
• Cost per flat: £1,000 - £350 OZEV grant = £650 net each

Outcome: Three chargers installed February 2025. Load balancing ensures all three can charge overnight without electrical issues. Fourth flat owner (non-EV) considering EV purchase knowing charging is available.

Case Study 3: Leasehold Refusal Overturned

Location: Brighton, 1980s apartment block Resident: David, ground-floor flat with allocated outdoor parking Challenge: Managing agent initially refused, citing "insurance concerns" and "precedent worries"

Solution:

• David provided detailed installer insurance documentation (£10M public liability)
• Cited Leasehold Reform Act 2022 rights in formal appeal
• Offered to coordinate bulk installation for interested residents to address "precedent" concern
• Managing agent reconsidered after legal advice confirmed David's rights
• Charger: Ohme Home Pro
• Cost: £1,050 - £350 OZEV grant = £700 net

Outcome: Approval granted after 8-week process (including 4-week appeal). Installation completed January 2025. Three other residents now planning installations.

Key lesson: Persistence and knowledge of legal rights are crucial when facing initial refusals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the OZEV grant if I live in a flat?

Yes—the OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant (£350 per socket) explicitly covers flat and apartment residents with access to off-street parking (allocated or shared).

Eligibility requirements:

• Flat in apartment building or converted property
• Access to off-street parking space
• Freeholder/landlord permission (or ownership)
• OZEV-approved charger and installer

You don't need a dedicated parking space—shared parking qualifies if multiple residents can benefit. The installer applies for the grant on your behalf during installation, and it's automatically deducted from your invoice.

Do I need permission from my freeholder to install a charger?

Yes, almost always—unless you own the freehold (very rare for flats).

Who to ask:

• Freeholder/landlord (legal property owner)
• Managing agent (if building is managed)
• Residents' association (if applicable)

Legal protections: Under the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022, freeholders cannot unreasonably refuse EV charger installation requests if the proposal meets safety and structural standards. They must respond within 28 days.

Refusal grounds: Freeholders can only refuse for legitimate reasons:

• Insufficient electrical capacity
• Structural concerns
• Insurance issues
• Planning restrictions (listed buildings)

Arbitrary refusals can be challenged through LEASE mediation or First-tier Tribunal.

What if my flat has no parking space at all?

Alternative solutions:

1. Council on-street charging: Apply for local authority lamp-post or kerbside charger installation:

• London: Ubitricity, Connected Kerb networks (5,000+ charge points)
• Scotland: ChargePlace Scotland
• Other councils: Check gov.uk for local schemes

2. Workplace charging: Many employers offer free or subsidised charging. Ask your HR department about EV charging facilities.

3. Public charging networks: Rely on rapid charging at supermarkets, service stations, and public car parks. Apps like Zap-Map help locate nearby chargers.

4. Destination charging: Combine charging with activities (gyms, shopping centres, etc.)

Cost comparison: Public charging costs 25-79p/kWh vs 7-24p/kWh at home, adding £500-£1,500/year to running costs for typical mileage.

How long does it take to get building consent?

Timeline varies significantly:

Fast approval (2-4 weeks):

• Modern buildings with proactive managing agents
• Clear allocated parking
• No electrical capacity concerns

Standard approval (4-8 weeks):

• Older buildings requiring technical assessments
• Shared parking needing coordination
• Multiple approval stages (freeholder + managing agent + residents' committee)

Slow/contested approval (8-16 weeks):

• Initial refusal requiring appeal
• Listed buildings needing planning permission
• Complex electrical assessments
• Legal review of lease terms

Expediting approval:

• Submit complete installation plans upfront
• Provide installer credentials and insurance documentation immediately
• Address potential concerns proactively in initial request
• Offer to coordinate multi-resident installations

Can I share one charger between multiple flats?

Yes, but practical considerations apply:

Unallocated parking (spaces not assigned to specific flats):

• Shared charger works well if multiple EVs can access it
• Consider multiple chargers with load balancing if demand is high
• Need clear usage etiquette (e.g., move car once charged)

Allocated parking (space assigned to your flat):

• Sharing is impractical—other residents can't access your space
• Better to install multiple chargers, one per allocated space

Cost recovery:

• Sub-metering to individual flats' electricity supplies (recommended)
• Communal meter with usage tracking and monthly billing
• RFID card access for cost allocation

Management:

• Establish clear usage rules (charging time limits, etiquette)
• Booking system for shared chargers (avoid conflicts)
• Fair cost-sharing agreements in writing

What happens when I sell my flat—can I take the charger?

Legally, yes—but practically, no (usually).

Leaving the charger (recommended):

• Increases property value: £500-£1,000 for EV-ready buyers
• Attractive selling point (25% of UK car sales are EVs in 2025)
• Avoids removal costs (£100-£200) and wall repair
• New home will need charger anyway

Removing the charger:

• Electrician disconnection: £100-£200
• Wall repair and repainting: £100-£300
• Reduces appeal to EV buyers
• Installation at new property: £800-£1,400

Recommendation: Factor charger value into sale price (mention "EV charger installed" in listing). Most buyers prefer purchasing properties with charging infrastructure already in place.

Do smart EV tariffs work if I live in a flat?

Yes—smart EV tariffs work identically for flat dwellers, provided your charger is connected to your flat's electricity meter.

Best tariffs for flat EV charging:

Octopus Intelligent Go:

• 7p/kWh (23:30-05:30 + smart slots)
• Works with Ohme, Wallbox, compatible vehicles
• Potential saving: £500/year vs standard tariff

OVO Charge Anytime:

• Average 7p/kWh for EV charging
• Flexible smart charging windows
• Compatible with most smart chargers

British Gas Electric Drivers:

• 9p/kWh (00:00-05:00)
• Works with Pod Point (native integration)

Requirements:

• Smart charger with scheduling capability
• Charger connected to your flat's electricity supply (not communal meter)
• Smart meter at your flat (required for most EV tariffs)

Communal meter issue: If chargers are connected to building communal supply rather than individual flat meters, smart EV tariffs won't work directly. In this case, negotiate reduced communal electricity rates or fixed charging costs with managing agent.

What if my building has no electrical capacity for EV chargers?

First, verify the claim:

Request professional assessment: Managing agents/freeholders sometimes cite "capacity issues" without proper investigation. Request independent electrical survey from OZEV-approved installer.

Load balancing solutions: Modern dynamic load management systems allow EV charging even with limited capacity by prioritising available power intelligently. This often avoids expensive infrastructure upgrades.

Upgrade options if capacity truly insufficient:

1. Building electrical upgrade (£10,000-£50,000+):

• Upgrading main building supply and consumer units
• Cost shared among residents or freeholder
• Often grant-funded or financed by freeholder (recovered through service charges)

2. Load-managed communal installation (£5,000-£15,000 for 5-10 chargers):

• Installs chargers with intelligent load management
• Dynamically allocates available capacity
• Avoids expensive supply upgrades
• OZEV grant reduces net costs

3. Phased installation:

• Start with 1-2 chargers to prove demand
• Add more as budget allows and demand grows
• Spread upgrade costs over time

Lobbying strategy: Organise interested residents to collectively request upgrades. Buildings with 5+ EV owners requesting charging have stronger cases for freeholder investment.

Are there any grants beyond OZEV for flat dwellers?

Yes, additional funding may be available:

1. Local council top-up grants:

• Some councils offer £200-£500 additional grants on top of OZEV
• Check your local authority website for EV charging schemes
• Examples: Some London boroughs, Scottish councils

2. Housing association grants:

• If your flat is housing association-owned, ask about EV infrastructure programmes
• Some housing associations fully fund resident charging installations

3. Workplace Charging Scheme:

• If you work from home significantly, your employer might install charger under WCS (£350 grant per socket for businesses)

4. Energy supplier incentives:

• Octopus Energy: Sometimes offers installation discounts for Intelligent Go customers
• OVO Energy: Occasional promotional deals for EV charger installations

5. Car manufacturer incentives:

• Tesla, BMW, Mercedes: Occasionally bundle free/discounted chargers with new EV purchases

Stacking grants: OZEV grant can combine with local authority top-ups for total £550-£850 savings in some areas.

Conclusion: Taking Action

Charging an electric vehicle from a UK flat or apartment is undoubtedly more complex than from a house with a driveway—but it's increasingly viable thanks to improved legal protections, OZEV grant eligibility, and innovative charging technology.

Key takeaways for flat EV charging success:

1. Know your rights: Leasehold legislation protects your right to request charger installation. Freeholders cannot arbitrarily refuse.

2. Start early: Begin building consent process 2-3 months before you need charging. Approval takes time.

3. Professional support: Work with OZEV-approved installers who understand flat installations and can provide compelling technical documentation for freeholder approval.

4. Collective action: Coordinate with other EV-owning residents. Communal installations reduce individual costs and strengthen approval cases.

5. Explore alternatives: If installation proves impossible, council on-street charging, workplace charging, and public networks provide viable alternatives.

6. Financial planning: Budget £800-£2,000 (after grants) for typical flat installations, potentially less if coordinating multi-resident installations.

Next steps:

1. Check parking eligibility: Confirm you have access to off-street parking (allocated or shared)
2. Find OZEV installer: Get quotes from 2-3 OZEV-approved installers experienced with flat installations
3. Review lease: Check lease terms for any restrictions on alterations or installations
4. Formal request: Submit written permission request to freeholder/managing agent with full technical documentation
5. Explore collective options: Connect with other residents interested in EV charging

The UK's transition to electric vehicles will only succeed if the 40% of households living in flats can charge conveniently and affordably. With persistence, professional support, and knowledge of your rights, home EV charging as a flat dweller is within reach.