ELECTRIC CHARGING STATION IN CONDOMINIUM: YOU BENEFIT FROM A "RIGHT TO PLUG IN"

15 November 2023

Whether you are an owner or a tenant in a condominium, you can request the installation of a charging station for your electric vehicle. However, there are certain rules to follow. Condominiums can carry out these works to benefit all occupants.

CONDOMINIUM: HOW TO INSTALL AN ELECTRIC CHARGING STATION?

LThe installation of electric charging stations in condominiums is facilitated by public authorities with the aim of encouraging the development of green mobility. In recent constructions (for which the building permit was filed after January 1, 2017), parking spaces must be pre-equipped for future installations. There are two types of installations for electric charging stations:

- Collective Installation: Shared by all condominium owners,
- Individual Installation: For personal use, at the expense of the individual co-owner.

A collective infrastructure is preferable when possible. Indeed, this allows for:

- ensure the coherence of the electrical system,
- reduce installation costs,
- facilitate the addition of additional charging stations.

Condominiums have every interest in facilitating a collective installation to avoid having to manage multiple individual requests.
To have charging stations installed, the property manager must include the topic in the agenda of the general assembly. Condominium owners must commission a technical study assessing the compatibility of existing electrical installations and any necessary work. The decision to commission the technical study and/or install collective charging stations is made by a simple majority vote. This refers to the majority of condominium owners present or represented at the general assembly.

ELECTRIC CHARGING STATION IN CONDOMINIUM: WHAT IS THE "RIGHT TO PLUG IN"?

If installing a collective infrastructure is not possible in your condominium, you can invoke the "right to the socket." The right to the socket is a legal provision outlined in Decree No. 2011-873 dated July 25, 2011. It allows every inhabitant of a new or existing collective dwelling to have a charging infrastructure for their electric vehicle (EV) installed at their own expense and on their parking space. This applies to both indoor and outdoor parking. The charging station must have a power rating lower than or equal to 22 kW.
You must submit your request by sending a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt to your property manager. This letter should include:

- A detailed description of the work
- an electrical connection diagram.

It is essential to contact one or more qualified professionals in advance to assess the necessary work and its cost. If you are a tenant, you must address your request to the property owner. The owner then forwards it to the property manager. The property manager has a period of 3 months to respond to your request. The property owner-landlord or the property manager must have a valid and legitimate reason if they wish to oppose this installation. This is the case if there is a technical impossibility to carry out the work or if a similar project is already underway within the condominium. The opposition procedure requires bringing the matter to the judicial court. The implementation of individual works does not require a vote in the general assembly. The project is simply communicated to the other condominium owners. If no general assembly is organized before the scheduled date of the works, the presentation is made afterward.

Source : boursorama.com