If you have an electric car, of course you need to charge it. Is there a public charging station nearby or will you install one yourself? Can you install a charging station just like that? You’ll learn here!
Contents
- Can I install a charging station as a co-owner?
- Can I install a charging station as a tenant?
- Who pays for the charging station installation?
- Cost of a charging station installation
- Consumption costs of a charging station installation
- How many cars are allowed to charge at the same time?
- Tips for a charging station installation
1. Can I install a charging station as a co-owner?
No. You are not allowed to install a charging station simply as a co-owner. The procedure is like this:
- Get written permission via registered letter to syndic or to the other co-owners (if you don’t have a syndic or VME ).
- The trustee or VME decides on the charging station request at the General Assembly within 2 months. The decision is made by simple majority vote (50+1).
Do they refuse your request? Then you can start proceedings with the justice of the peace.
2. Can I install a charging station as a tenant?
No. You are not allowed to install a charging station as a tenant. The procedure is like this:
- Request permission in writing via registered letter to the owner of the apartment or house. Specify a reasonable deadline (e.g., 2 months) by which he/she must approve or deny your request.
- Have a written agreement drawn up about the charging station (the cost, location of the installation, what happens if you cancel the agreement).
Does your landlord refuse your request? Then you can start proceedings with the justice of the peace.
3. Who pays for the charging station installation?
Installing a charging station is not cheap. With a lease, the tenant pays the cost of the charging station. With a sales contract, the co-owner pays the cost of the charging station. There is also a possibility that the VME decides that the costs fall under common costs of the property. In this situation, the VME coordinates and pays for the charging station installation and these costs are passed on to the co-owners.
3.1. Kosten van een laadpaal installatie
- A charging station costs about 1,500 euros excluding VAT.
- The mandatory inspection costs about 100 euros excluding VAT.
- The installation itself at about 40 euros excluding VAT per hour.
- Strengthening the power grid (if necessary) costs up to 1,000 euros excluding VAT.
3.2. Verbruikskosten van een laadpaal installatie
With a private charging station, you have a separate counter which makes the cost directly to the user (either tenant or owner). With a private charging station with a common counter, it is best to have a smart charging station with integrated consumption meter installed. This way, the syndicator will link the consumption to the right user (tenant or owner) and bill this cost individually.
4. How many cars are allowed to charge at the same time?
Of course, this depends on the power grid and charging station installation. Often, 4 electric cars are the threshold at which a building’s main fuse trips. You avoid this by:
- have the electrical grid inspected beforehand. Is this heavy enough?
- install intelligent charging poles of the same brand. These charging stations communicate with each other and distribute the necessary power among themselves.
- install an intelligent load-balancing system. This system ensures that essential items (such as elevators) get priority over the charging stations. The charging stations then get the “residual electricity.
5. Tips for a charging station installation
- Since March 2021, every new home with at least 2 parking spaces must provide mandatory connection points for electric charging stations.
- In the future, more and more electric cars will be driving around. So a charging station installation is definitely an added value to your apartment or rental home.
- Have multiple cables run to different garage boxes. This is more economical than connecting each garage box separately each time. Poll the interest among the owners and tenants so you can provide a heavy electrical installation right away.
- Is your charging station installed and inspected? Then notify your insurer that you have installed a charging station. Normally, the charging station is covered within your fire insurance or tenant liability insurance. Check the details of your insurance!
- In case of misuse of the charging station, you (the user, either owner or tenant) always bear the costs. For example, if you drive away while the charging cable is still plugged into your car and the charging station. So be vigilant.
Sources: Euro Immo, Livios, Luminus, Verhelst Vastgoed