CF Neighbours threatening to complain to council over EV charger ‘hire’

i don’t think that the tax man would. They’re mostly schemes set up by the energy companies supplying the electricity and the credit goes to your electric account as opposed to cashing it in. There’s a whole structure to this - widening the electric charging network. It’s all above board and it’s on a private driveway. I don’t think the council would be interested OP - tell them to crack on with their complaint.

I think it’s totally understandable that your neighbours aren’t happy you’ve basically started a business on the front street. I agree you aren’t doing anything wrong but they aren’t ‘batshit’.

Ooh interesting concept. So how do you charge OP, I mean some cars may only need 1/2 charge apposed to full?? Do they park on your drive to do so?

Sorry, that was a generaL example of a nuisance that could occur when running a business ftom
home.

Also looked at Binseys post. That explains how it all works. Hiwever, councils are allowed to restrict businesses run from home , if they cause a nuisance, although if it’s three visitors a day, that should be fine. I think its more of a problem if someone buys and sells car from their property, for example.

I live on a residential street. It makes absolutely zero difference to my life that cars park on it, whether for charging (when they move on fairly quickly), shopping or going to work. They're just cars.

Now, my mother would have been incandescent with the notion because, despite never having driven a vehicle in her life, she believed that she owned the view out of her window of the neighbours' front doors and the pavement & road outside. But she didn't and hopefully anybody who ended up on the receiving end of her entitled whingeing ignored her, as they should the OP's neighbours, who clearly need to take up birdwatching or something.

Me too. Surely the OP should be paying business rates?

I don’t think I’d be altogether happy about random (to me) people showing up to charge their cars next door, either.

@Silverbirchleaf since when did electricity get delivered by van ?

Have a look at @BinseyPoplars Post.

As long as they are parking on your drive whilst charging and not causing issues on the road by queuing up.
I can't see that your neighbour has much legally to complain about.

I had no idea this was a thing ! , what a great way to passively earn extra cash , it certainly beats the fabled 'take ironing in' that gets posted on mn

The neighbour can report the business to the council if it causes a nuisance. Eg. Lots of visitors, van deliveries etc

This is awesome! I didn’t know this existed. Great idea. I mean, loads of people rent their driveways to people to park on, so why not?

Assuming you’re paying any necessary tax on the earnings and you’ve informed your home insurer, I’d just crack on. I’d not be impressed if I was your neighbour though, assuming the street is otherwise residential.

I'm assuming you own your home and not rent?

I personally wouldn't want this at my neighbours house. All the extra traffic would drive me up the wall

Just updated my post, no idea it was a thing people can do.

As long as all paperwork in place then OP can crack on.

It wouldn't surprise me if it was only a matter of time before the tax man wants a finger in the pie though.

That was what I thought.

I do wish people would stop posting nonsense.

I would double check your paperwork. If it's on a domestic property then it's likely considered a domestic charger and if it is broken due to misuse/ heavy usage where do you stand with the supplier and insurance? There is likely something buried in the small print about allowing friends/ family to use the charger but not as a business. I think there is a bit of grey area re Airbnb and the like?

Also regarding your electric provider, are you going to tip into being a heavy user? Or are you effectively considered as selling on electricity?

In terms of your insurance I would make sure you are fully insured for this, what happens if someone's car catches fire on your property and damages yours/ neighbours property.

I can see how your neighbours are not happy, 3 people every day on average is a lot of coming and going. Whilst yes they might work down the street, you basically have a lot of extra people walking up and down the street. Whilst most of your clients are "professionals from the office down the road", not all are and it only takes one chancer/ someone up to no good to be snooping the area.

It is likely the council will tell you to stop, or they will allow you to do so but there will be a charge of some kind - registering as a business/ needing planning/ proof of insurance ect or reporting you on to your electric company.

Just seen other people's updates. Apparently it's a thing. As long as you have the correct paperwork in place, correct insurance for it, then you can crack on. I do understand your neighbours might be unhappy though.

It’s perfectly legal - I can see why it might annoy some people though.

It's legal. There are numerous apps you can sign up to that provide you with 'customers' just like you can rent out your drive for parking.
Once you've deducted the cost of electricity you can earn up to £1000/year without being taxed (just like vinted and ebay).

I'm assuming this isn't your jobs and main source of income so I'm assuming you've registered it as a business with the appropriate authorties? And HMRC of course

This is nonsense. That isn’t a thing. Not for renting out your charger. There are even online platforms you can take bookings and receive payment through. It’s a thing now. And it does not trigger any sort of business from home or business electric charge and it’s not even classed by ofgem as selling electricity.

I take it back - there is an actual structure for doing this:

https://octopusev.com/charging/community-charging

You are running a business, so you all the correct paperwork, licences and insurance. Let’s hope she doesn’t report you to the taxman as well as the council

Notwithstanding any planning issues, I imagine it would trigger a business rate for electricity, which won’t be cheap!