Electric vehicles: Property Management's Next Pain Point?
Property managers should brace themselves for an influx of administration surrounding electric vehicles. An increasing number of landlords are expected to push for charging points to be retrofitted to their parking bays and properties, especially in light of the new ChargePoint grant launched by the Government this April.
The ChargePoint scheme gives landlords access to 75% off the purchase and installation of an electric vehicle charging point, up to the value of £350. The scope for the grant is wide, with single-unit residential properties, such as flats and houses; multi-unit residential properties, such as apartment blocks, and commercially let properties that have parking dedicated for staff use or fleet use all qualifying.
As well as landlords, companies owning the freehold of a leased or rented property; companies owning a building’s common areas and even tenants in rented flats and single-use accommodation can apply for the charging point discount. It’s also worth noting that as well as all new homes requiring electric vehicle charging points as standard in 2022, the legislation also applies to properties undergoing major renovation.
It’s not a case of ‘plug and play’
The property management sector has already acknowledged that a growing focus on electric vehicles will contribute to the workload of managers, especially those whose portfolios comprise managed apartment blocks.
Speaking to PropertyInvestorToday, Bob Simonds at Principle Estate Management said questions were already being raised regarding permission from freeholders and their managing agents, charging point feasibility studies, bay or space ownership, risk assessments, installer access and the prospect of a five year NICEIC test to BS 7671 for the charger’s hard-wired links.
Here’s why landlords want to install charging points
Buy-to-let landlords have more than just saving the planet in mind when it comes to charging points. New research by E.ON found 62% of renters and buyers in the Gen Z age group (16-27 year olds) would prioritise an electric vehicle charging point when looking for a new home, while 81% of under 42s would pay a higher price for a property if it had eco aspects, such as an electric vehicle charger.
As well as appealing to tenants in the short term, landlords looking to add long term value to their buy-to-let know that electric is the way to go. According to the National Association of Property Buyers, an electric car charging station could add £3,000 to £5,000 to the value of a home.
Plan for the inevitable
It’s not a case of ‘if’ but ‘when’ matters regarding charging points become a daily property management task. Electric vehicles are a compelling part of the Government’s ambition to be a carbon net zero country by 2050. While drivers will be forced to become electric vehicle owners as part of this plan, the cost of diesel/petrol – combined with recent fuel distribution issues – is prompting more of us to consider the switch to electric earlier than planned.
According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the number of plug-in hybrid vehicles on UK roads increased by some 280% between 2019 and 2021, while the increase was 586.8% for pure electric vehicles. Looking at more recent data, one in five UK cars sold to date in 2022 was an electric model – a figure set to soar as the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles phases out from 2030.
How Viewber can help
As the number of charging point installations inevitably rises, so will access requests. Our ‘enable access’ service will prove invaluable when it comes to meeting installers on site, opening security gates or car park shutters and waiting around. A Viewber can do that on a property manager’s behalf, leaving them to get on with more important tasks.
A Viewber can stop by your office to collect any gate keys or security codes required, be at the parking bays ahead of the installer and ensure the parking area is secured once the job is complete. Property managers can also book a Viewber to grant access for scheduled charging point maintenance, such as testing, servicing and repairs.
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