For many landlords, yes – but start smaller than you think. One dedicated circuit, one charger, and a written rule for who pays for the electricity covers most single-family rentals and small properties. It rests on three things: tenant demand, panel capacity, and how you will handle the power bill.
Key Takeaways
- Start with one circuit and one charger; expand only when tenant demand is proven.
- Pick the electricity model first – flat in rent, metered billing, or the tenant’s own meter – and do the kWh arithmetic before setting any amount.
- Panel capacity, parking assignment, lease wording and insurance are the four checks to clear before installation.
- A charger with RFID or app records removes the arguments if you bill by use.
The Case For, in Plain Terms
Treat the charger like any other amenity decision, such as a washer-dryer hookup. Tenants increasingly arrive with an EV or plan to buy one, and a charger is one of the few amenities a tenant cannot easily add to a landlord’s property – which makes it your decision, and your asset. Do not assume a rent premium or a return figure: no reliable standard number exists. Judge it on tenant demand and retention at your property, the way you would judge any improvement.
Who Pays for the Electricity: Three Simple Models
| Model | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Flat amount in the rent | You include charging in the rent or add a fixed monthly amount; no metering | Single-family rentals, modest use, simple paperwork |
| Metered and billed back | The charger’s app or a submeter records each tenant’s kWh; you bill at your actual rate | Shared parking, higher use, or several EV-driving tenants |
| Tenant pays the utility directly | The charger sits on the tenant’s own meter or account | Duplexes and properties with separately metered parking |
To size a flat amount honestly, do the arithmetic once. Labelled example: a tenant driving about 1,000 miles a month in a car using roughly 30 kWh per 100 miles uses about 300 kWh a month – about $55 at the EIA average residential price of 18.31 cents per kWh. Your rate and their mileage will differ; the method is the point. Reselling electricity per kWh is regulated in some places, so flat fees and pass-through at your real rate are the common approaches – confirm what applies locally.
Before You Install: Panel, Parking, Paperwork
- Panel capacity. EV charging is a continuous load under the NEC, so the breaker is sized at 125% of the charger current (40 A charging needs a 50 A breaker). Have a licensed electrician confirm capacity before you promise a tenant anything.
- Parking assignment. Decide which space the charger serves and who may use it, especially in shared lots – see our guide to apartment and condo charging in shared parking.
- Lease wording. Cover who may charge, the billing method, time limits if relevant, damage responsibility, and what happens to the charger at move-out. Raise these with your property manager or a local attorney rather than copying clauses from the internet.
- Insurance and incentives. Tell your insurer about the installation. For incentives, check DSIRE for current state programs; the federal IRS Section 30C credit terms applied to property placed in service through June 30, 2026, so ask a tax adviser what applies to your project now.
Hardware That Keeps Billing Simple
If you bill by use, the charger has to keep records you can defend. The EVDANCE EV-ACT3204PE is a 22 kW wallbox with RFID and app control, so sessions are tied to a card or a user, not guessed at month-end. For a single-tenant setup, the EV-ACT5006T is a 48 A Level 2 wall charger, hard-wired or on a NEMA 14-50 plug. Owners planning several units can also review the EVDANCE commercial charging range. Hotels face a version of the same question – see our hotel guest charging guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tenant install their own charger instead?
Sometimes – and in some states and cities tenants have specific rights to install at their own cost. The rules vary too much to summarise safely. Treat a request as a negotiation about panel capacity, a licensed installer, and restoration at move-out, and check the local rules for your property.
Should I install before a tenant asks?
If panel work is already scheduled for another reason, adding a circuit then is cheap. Otherwise, install when a tenant with an EV signs a lease, rather than equipping every space on speculation.
What if the charger breaks or is damaged?
Decide in advance and write it down: the landlord normally maintains landlord-owned equipment, and damage beyond wear is treated like damage to any other fixture. EVDANCE chargers carry a 3-year standard warranty.
Related Reading
- Apartment and Condo EV Charging: Solutions for Shared Parking
- Can I Have an Electric Car Charger at Home? Houses, Rentals and Condos
- Hotel EV Charging: How to Plan Guest Charging That Pays Off
- Are EV Charging Stations a Good Investment?
