Flats are fed by risers and laterals designed for dwellings, not for a 32 amp charger on every floor. Adding one charger may be possible. Adding one per flat without a load strategy may not. A proper scheme looks at the building supply, diversity, where the new cables run, fire stopping when they pass through floors, and how costs are shared. A single resident's electrician cannot see the whole riser from one meter cupboard and should not pretend to.
Communal risers and flat EV charging
Ask the freeholder for existing capacity information and whether a consultant is already looking at a block-wide plan. Join that plan if it exists.
- The riser has a finite capacity
- Fire stopping matters
- A block plan beats one-off raids
- One flat's spare way is not the building's spare capacity
What a survey must prove about communal risers and flat EV charging
Fire stopping and containment in landlords' areas are not optional extras. They are why a neat white trunking quote from a domestic firm gets rejected.
Communal risers and flat EV charging and the written scope
Block schemes cost more than a driveway and can be the only lawful route. Grants aimed at flats may contribute. Check the current cap and do not promise neighbours a free charger.
The expensive shortcut on communal risers and flat EV charging
The mistake is a cable in a stairwell clipped to the handrail, or a supply taken from a lighting circuit.
Handover when communal risers and flat EV charging is the issue
Commission one design for the block, with a phased socket count the supply can bear.
Frequently asked questions
Can we limit each charger instead of upgrading?
Load management is often the right tool. It needs a design, not eight apps set to 'low'.
Who owns the new cable?
Agree it. Orphan cables in risers become the next person's problem.
Do we need a new supply to the building?
Sometimes. The network operator will say, after an application with a real load figure.
Can each resident claim a grant?
Only if each one meets the current scheme. Do not multiply vouchers in a spreadsheet until you have read the rules.
Core buying guides
Start with these high-intent guides, then dig into the rest of the library.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide was written by the Local EV Installers Editorial Team. We compare official guidance, legislation and established consumer information, separate general information from project-specific advice, and show publication dates and sources. We do not accept installer accreditation claims at face value.