Rules for Holiday Let Electric Car (EV) Charging

With more and more people across the UK switching from petrol or diesel vehicles to an electric alternative, there’s an increased demand amongst domestic holiday makers for easily accessible charging points. People want to use their electric vehicle (EV) when travelling, without the worry of locating nearby charging points and the hassle of driving to them. It’s therefore evident that, for EV owners, a holiday let where charging is available is going to be preferential to a property without the same offering.

In this article we will take a practical look at EV charging points and discuss two main topics: should owners install a specific charge point; and what are the best practice rules and regulations for guests who want to charge their EV at their holiday let?

Charging EVs with a classic plug socket

The issue of EV charging can be awkward for holiday let owners: you don’t want guests to take advantage and fuel their vehicle unnecessarily, whilst working up a hefty electricity bill! Such a problem can arise when there isn’t a formal plan in place for EV charging, which would entail a dedicated charging point at the holiday let property, as well as a specific EV electricity tariff set up for guests.

Without preparing for guests who want to charge their EV by setting a specific tariff, there’s a risk for holiday let owners. If a guest plugs in their Tesla, for example, via a standard plug socket (which is known as a ‘granny charger’) and fully charges it, it could cost the owner up to £25. All it takes is for the guests to charge up their car a few times during their stay, and they’ve benefited from free fuel – whilst the owner has paid for it!

In other words, savvy guests don’t need to rely on a designated charging point for their EV: they can take it upon themselves to charge their car by running an extension cable from the inside of the house to the driveway. It can be difficult for owners to regulate such activity. In some cases, it’s been known for rental properties to have lockable boxes placed around outside plug sockets, with the aim being to prevent guests from charging their EV freely and without prior agreement from the owner.

Owners who don’t offer an EV charging service therefore have to be upfront with guests, making it clear in the booking terms and conditions that running an extension cable outside isn’t permitted. In situations where there’s an outside plug socket, the easiest way to prevent guests from charging their vehicle is to lock it off. It’s worth noting that getting a smart electricity meter can be a good idea, because if guests then charge their vehicle of their own accord and without permission, the owner will see a sudden and persistent spike in electricity usage; a good indicator that an EV is being charged!

Installing an EV charging point

To overcome the problems of unwarranted electricity consumption, one option is for holiday let owners to install a dedicated EV charging point. While there’s an initial cost involved, having a charging point can not only entice potential guests, but can make the rules about charging EVs much clearer. Depending on the type of charging point, there’s the option for owners to set a tariff and monitor guests’ electricity usage via an app, for example.

It’s worth noting that as the popularity of domestic EV charging points increases, there are more businesses offering apps and online management programmes to make it as easy as possible for people to charge their EV and keep track of how much is being spent.

How can I regulate guests’ electricity consumption?

One option for owners whose holiday let property has an EV charging point is to incorporate the cost of electricity into the rental price. The problem with such a strategy is that not all guests will own an EV and so will face paying a higher rate for no reason – an issue which could deter them from making a booking. One option to avoid this problem is to add a ‘tick box’ to bookings, just as you would for dog-friendly holiday lets, where guests pay an extra fee to bring along their pet. For example, for owners bringing their EV there could be an additional booking fee of £40. 

The alternative is to offer a tariff for guests who want to charge their EV during their stay, for which owners can create their own pricing structure. As mentioned, EV charging points can be managed via various apps and online platforms. As a result, holiday let owners can choose whether to be more hands on and oversee guests’ usage by having the app on their own device and checking it during a guest’s stay; or to allow guests to access the app, to charge their vehicle themselves and pay accordingly.

Installing an EV charge point is extra work: why should I bother?

It’s understandable that the initial installation fee, which could cost upwards of £1,000, might deter owners from setting up an EV charging station at their property; especially for owners who have multiple holiday lets to their name! However, the advantages of having a charging point will only increase as the popularity of EVs continues to grow. Plus, don’t forget that any installation fees can be claimed back as a business expense (although it’s always best to check this with your accountant!).

We understand the benefits of having an EV charging point and how the investment can help owners to generate income by attracting more bookings. For example, imagine a large family where two out of the three parties own EVs. When planning their holiday, a property which offers its own convenient charging station is sure to appeal over the alternative. It’s also possible for owners to be strategic when they set up their charging tariff; with the correct calculations, there’s the opportunity to make further profit on a guest booking by charging a little higher than the regular rate.

Considerations

Owners who are debating getting an EV charging point should take the time to research various providers and online management systems, to find an option that’s financially viable and that suits their setup. It’s also important to consider various issues, such as:

• Is there off-road parking so that an EV charging point is accessible?
• Does the property’s current insurance cover EV charging points?
• Is the property’s electrical capacity efficient?
• Where can the EV charging point be installed on the property?

To conclude

With the holiday let industry continuing to flourish, it’s important for owners to be business savvy and focus on how they can make their own holiday home stand out against the competition. EV charging points are becoming a standard feature at holiday parks across the country, and we predict that holiday lets will follow suit.

For more advice about setting your holiday let up for success, check out our dedicated article here. Or, for more information about getting a holiday let mortgage, contact us here.