So you’ve just picked up your new electric vehicle — congratulations! But if you’re one of the many West Australians renting your home, you might be wondering: can I actually get an EV charger installed at my rental property?
The good news is yes, in many cases you can. It just takes a little more planning, communication and paperwork than it does for homeowners. As specialists in EV charger installation in Perth, we’ve helped plenty of tenants (and their landlords) navigate this process, so here’s our practical guide to getting it right.
Step 1: Know Where You Stand Under WA’s Rental Laws
Western Australia’s rental laws changed significantly in 2024 under the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act. Since 29 July 2024, tenants have had greater rights to make certain changes to their rental home — but it’s important to understand how an EV charger fits into the picture.
The reforms introduced a list of prescribed “minor modifications” — things like hanging pictures, installing flyscreens and fitting water-efficient showerheads — which landlords can only refuse in limited circumstances. A hardwired EV charger, however, involves fixed electrical wiring and often a dedicated circuit or switchboard work, so it generally sits outside the minor modifications list. That means it’s treated as a more significant modification, and you’ll need your landlord’s written agreement before any work begins.
Consumer Protection WA has detailed guidance on making changes to a rental home, including the correct request forms to use and the timeframes that apply to landlord responses. It’s well worth reading before you approach your landlord or property manager, and if you’re ever unsure how your request should be handled, Consumer Protection is the authority to check with.
REIWA — the peak body for the WA real estate industry — also publishes helpful information for tenants and landlords on the rental reforms, and makes the point that upfront, open discussion between tenants and owners (usually via the property manager) is the best way to reach an outcome that works for everyone. That’s been our experience too.
Step 2: Put Together a Proposal Your Landlord Can Say Yes To
The single biggest factor in getting approval is how you present the request. A vague “can I put in a car charger?” is easy to knock back. A well-prepared proposal is much harder to refuse. We recommend your written request includes:
- A specific charger and installer. Name the charger model (for example, a Myenergi Zappi or Evnex smart charger) and attach a written quote from a licensed electrical contractor experienced in EV charger installation in Perth. This shows the landlord exactly what’s being installed, where, and by whom.
- Who pays for what. In most cases the tenant covers the cost of the charger and installation. Make this explicit.
- What happens at the end of the lease. Under WA’s tenancy laws, tenants are generally required to “make good” — restoring the property to its original condition — unless otherwise agreed. You can offer to remove the charger and reinstate the wiring at your cost, or propose that it stays as a permanent improvement to the property. Many landlords are happy for it to remain once they realise it adds value.
- Evidence the installation will be safe and compliant. This is where choosing the right installer matters (more on that below).
It also helps to gently make the landlord’s business case for them: an EV-ready rental is increasingly attractive to prospective tenants as electric vehicle ownership grows across Perth, and a professionally installed charger is a genuine property improvement — not a liability.
It’s not just us saying this. Here’s the view from inside the property management industry:
“As electric vehicles become increasingly common, we’re seeing more tenants enquire about installing EV charging facilities at rental properties. My advice is to start the conversation early with your property manager and provide as much information as possible about the proposed charger and installation requirements. Most owners are open to improvements that add long-term value to their property, however written approval is essential before any works commence. A professionally installed charger can benefit both the current tenant and future occupants, making it a worthwhile consideration for landlords looking to future-proof their investment.”
— Rae O’Neill, Licensee & Director of Property Management, Harcourts Prestige North
Step 3: Make Sure the Installation Is Compliant — This Protects Everyone
In Western Australia, all fixed electrical wiring work — including installing a hardwired EV charger — must be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor. Electrical licensing and safety in WA is regulated by Building and Energy within the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS), and you can verify any contractor’s licence through their public licence search at demirs.wa.gov.au.
A compliant EV charger installation in Perth should include:
- A licensed electrical contractor carrying out and signing off the work
- An assessment of the property’s switchboard and electrical capacity before installation (older rentals sometimes need an upgrade — your landlord will want to know this upfront)
- Appropriate safety protection, such as RCD protection on the dedicated circuit
- An electrical safety certificate provided on completion — keep a copy and give one to your landlord or property manager for their records
This paperwork isn’t just box-ticking. It gives your landlord confidence that the work meets WA’s electrical safety requirements, protects the property’s insurance position, and protects you as the tenant. Never let an unlicensed person — including yourself — attempt the installation. It’s illegal, dangerous, and almost guarantees a refused request next time a tenant asks.
What If the Landlord Says No?
It happens — and sometimes for legitimate reasons, such as strata by-law restrictions in apartments, planned works at the property, or heritage considerations. If your request is refused, you still have options:
Ask about the reason and negotiate. Some refusals can be resolved — for example, by agreeing to remove the charger at the end of the lease, choosing a different mounting location, or covering the cost of a switchboard assessment.
Check the dispute pathway. Under the 2024 reforms, the Commissioner for Consumer Protection can determine certain disputes between tenants and landlords about modifications without anyone needing to go to court. Consumer Protection WA can advise whether your situation qualifies.
Use portable charging in the meantime. Most EVs come with a portable charger that plugs into a standard power point — often called “trickle charging”. It’s slow, but for many Perth commutes an overnight top-up is enough. If you go down this path, have a licensed electrician check that the power point and circuit you’re using are in good condition and suitable for sustained charging loads, as older sockets in rentals weren’t designed to run at full load for hours on end.
Renting an apartment? Strata adds another layer, as common property and by-laws come into play. The approval pathway runs through the strata company as well as your landlord — we can help with advice on apartment and strata EV charging too.
Talk to Perth’s EV Charger Installation Specialists
At EVCI, EV charger installation is all we do — for homes, businesses and rentals across Perth and South West WA. Our licensed electricians, led by Ryan Gill and Mitch Skender, can provide everything you need to take a professional proposal to your landlord: a detailed written quote, charger recommendations to suit your vehicle and budget, a site and switchboard assessment, and fully compliant installation with an electrical safety certificate on completion.
If you’re a tenant ready to charge at home — or a landlord who’s received a request and wants it done properly — get in touch with EVCI today for a free, no-obligation quote.
A licensed EVCI electrician kneels in a residential garage in Perth, using testing equipment to verify a newly installed wall-mounted smart EV charger. The EVCI work trailer, displaying the company’s contact details and EC 14555 electrical contractor licence number, is parked in the driveway behind him. The image shows a typical home EV charger installation in Perth, with the charger and cable holster neatly mounted on the garage wall.
Connect With Us
Electric Vehicle Charging Installations
Email: info@evci.com.au
Phone: 0491 604 384
Website: evci.com.au
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This article is general information only and not legal advice. Tenancy rights and obligations in WA can change — for current requirements, visit Consumer Protection WA, REIWA and DEMIRS Building and Energy.
