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

[FootballMumm]

We live close to the head office of a big corporate company - thousands of employees attend across the week.

Our house is a couple of streets away, and we’ve got an EV charger. We have made this available for ‘rent’, and it’s at a far more affordable cost than the chargers at the head office. Therefore, we’ve built up over time through word of mouth etc and we usually average about 3 people using it a day.

This has been for about 3 months with no issues at all.

Yesterday, our neighbour knocked and said they are uncomfortable with the ‘comings and going’s’ and not knowing who these people are, and feel it’s cheapening the street . I pointed out they work more or less over the road in corporate roles.

They then said that they have found some of the behaviour ‘unacceptable’. I asked for examples to which they gave two:

-A man smoking whilst waiting for his charge to finish
-A woman on the phone making an ‘extreme’ sexual remark. On pressing what this was, it was basically a fouler version of ‘I’ve had a crap day and want to have sex tonight’.

I said that usually, people leave their cars and then go into work before returning either on break, lunch or at the end of the day. But said I’d keep an eye out for any untoward behaviour.

I thought this would placate them, but they said that if we don’t stop it this week then they will speak to the council to register a ‘formal complaint’.

I don’t intend to stop, and am aware we are acting perfectly legally. Is it me, or they are batshit?!

If you’ve got all the necessary planning permission and you’re paying all the tax you’re supposed to l (+ informed your insurers - and possibly electricity provider but I’m not sure about that one), then crack on!

I can see why they’re peeved, though.

Is it legal to rent it out? If so then I wouldn’t worry at all , but somehow I doubt it is , I would guess you’re running a business so would need appropriate insurances etc

Hmmm don’t think I’d be overjoyed at my neighbours doing this either.

Do you have all necessary permissions though? If so I doubt the council would do much anyway.

If everything is legal then what can they do. Let them crack on.

Isn't that running a business from a domestic premises ?

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

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

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

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

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'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

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).

It’s all above board. I’d understand if it was riff raff from the local estates (not that they tend to drive EV’s!) turning up, but it’s professionals who are causing no harm whatsoever.

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

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.

I do wish people would stop posting nonsense.

That was what I thought.

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.

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

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.

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?

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

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

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.

@Silverbirchleaf since when did electricity get delivered by van ?

Have a look at @BinseyPoplars Post.

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.