Landlords · Duplexes · Rental units · Canada

Adding EV Charging to a Rental Property: A Landlord’s Guide (Canada)

A tenant has asked for EV charging, or you want your rental to stand out. Here are the realistic options for a duplex, small building or rented condo unit, how electricity gets paid for, who owns what at move-out, and what to agree in writing first. Not legal, tax or electrical advice.

Outlet first, charger second. Never use a household extension cord for EV charging, and never run a cord from a balcony, window, or patio door to the parking stall. If the receptacle is in the wrong place or the wrong type, the fix is a new receptacle installed by a licensed electrician. More: extension-cord safety.

Tenants with EVs are asking for charging, and an approved outlet can be a reason to pick your unit over the next one. This page is for small landlords: a duplex or triplex owner, a basement-apartment landlord, or someone renting out a condo unit. It covers the realistic options, how electricity gets paid for, and what to put in writing. If you’re a tenant, the landlord request letter and who pays pages are written for you.

Four ways to say yes, from simplest to most involved

OptionWhat gets installedTypical speedWho usually owns the chargerGood for
Dedicated 120 V receptacleA new 15 or 20 A circuit to an outdoor-rated receptacle at the stallLevel 1: slow, enough for short commutesTenant uses the car’s own cordLow-mileage tenants, tight panels
240 V receptacle (NEMA 14-50 or 6-50)A new 240 V circuit and receptacle at the stallLevel 2, up to 40 A on 50 ATenant brings a plug-in charger and takes it at move-outMost rentals; clean split of ownership
Hardwired charger you ownA wall charger wired to its own circuitLevel 2, set by the installerYou, as a building fixtureLong-term rentals, units you’ll keep
Shared charger for several unitsOne or more chargers with access control or load managementLevel 2, sharedYouTriplexes and small buildings: load management

The 240 V receptacle route is often the easiest to agree on: you own the wiring, the tenant owns the charger, and nothing has to be removed at move-out. For receptacle choice, see 14-50 vs 6-50.

Whose meter pays for the electricity

Meter setupHow charging gets paidWatch out for
Circuit from the tenant’s own panel and meterTenant pays automatically on their hydro billThe cleanest option; confirm their panel has room
Circuit from your house or common meterA flat monthly charge agreed in writing, or included in rentRules on reselling or sub-metering electricity vary by province; check before billing per kWh
Charger with an app that tracks energyUsage records support a fair flat feeTreat app readings as a guide, not a utility meter

What to put in writing before the electrician comes

  • Which stall, which receptacle or charger, and which panel and meter feed it.
  • Who pays for the install, and whether any cost is shared.
  • How electricity is paid for, and the amount if it’s a flat fee.
  • Who owns what at move-out: the receptacle normally stays; a plug-in charger leaves with the tenant.
  • Only certified chargers (CSA, cUL or ETL-C), no extension cords, and who to call if something trips or overheats.
  • Check your province’s tenancy rules before adding a new fee to an existing lease.

Outlet and amp caveats

  • Older duplexes and conversions often have 100 A service or less per unit. Get a load calculation before promising Level 2: 100 A panel sizing.
  • Size chargers to about 80% of the breaker (Canadian Electrical Code Rule 86-302): 40 A on 50 A, 32 A on 40 A.
  • An existing exterior outlet that also feeds lights or other loads is not an EV circuit, and neither is a block-heater outlet.
  • Use a licensed electrician and the permit your province requires (in Ontario, a licensed electrical contractor files the ESA permit).
  • If you rent out a condo unit, the condo corporation’s approval process applies too: Ontario condo request · BC strata.

Caveats

  • Tenancy, electricity resale and condo rules differ by province and change. Check official sources or a professional for your situation.
  • We don’t quote install costs or incentive amounts here; get written quotes and check current program pages directly.
  • Insurance: ask your insurer whether adding an EV circuit or charger changes your rental policy.

FAQ

Do I have to let my tenant install an EV charger?

It depends on your province and building. In a condo or strata, the approval process runs through the unit owner, so tenants generally need your written permission. Check your provincial tenancy rules and put any agreement in writing.

Should I install a charger or just an outlet for my tenant?

An outlet is often simpler. You install a 240 V receptacle on its own circuit, the tenant brings a plug-in charger, and they take it with them when they move.

How do I charge a tenant for EV electricity?

The simplest way is a circuit from the tenant’s own meter. If it runs off your meter, agree a flat monthly fee in writing, and check provincial rules before billing per kWh.

Who owns the EV outlet when the tenant moves out?

Normally the receptacle and wiring stay with the property, and a plug-in charger leaves with the tenant. Write this down before the install.

Can a tenant use an extension cord to charge until the outlet is installed?

No. Household extension cords are not safe for EV charging. A dedicated, approved receptacle is the safe route.

Chargers tenants commonly use on a new outlet

Made in Canada first, then Canadian brand, then a labeled imported option. Approximate CAD — confirm price, plug type, stock, Canada safety mark, and Ships from Amazon on Amazon.ca before you buy.

Made in Canada

Grizzl-E Mini Connect weatherproof Level 2 EV charger
3.8 · 53 ratings

Made in Canada · Best overall

Ships from Amazon

Recently ~$600 on Amazon.ca (list ~$650) — confirm current price

Grizzl-E Mini Connect

Made in Canada portable Level 2 a tenant can bring and take with them. Adjustable amps fit the circuit you install; 120 V or 240 V. About ~$600.

Grizzl-E Mini Connect on Amazon.ca · ~$600 Available at Amazon.ca

Canadian brands

FLO Home X3 plug-in Level 2 EV charger with NEMA 14-50 plug
4.4 · 24 ratings

Canadian brand · Plug-in

Ships from Amazon

Québec Écorecharge: up to $600 for an eligible home Level 2 — confirm on quebec.ca (FLO Maison X3 is on the official eligible-models list as of Oct 2026). Not electrical or legal advice.

Plug-in wall (14-50)

FLO Home X3 (plug-in)

Canadian brand, designed and engineered in Canada. Plugs into a NEMA 14-50, factory set to 40 A on a 50 A circuit, rated -40 °C to 50 °C per the listing. About ~$699.

FLO Home X3 plug-in on Amazon.ca · ~$699 Available at Amazon.ca
FLO Home X3 hardwired Level 2 EV charger
4.4 · 28 ratings

Canadian brand

Ships from Amazon

Québec Écorecharge: up to $600 for an eligible home Level 2 — confirm on quebec.ca (FLO Maison X3 is on the official eligible-models list as of Oct 2026). Not electrical or legal advice.

HARDWIRED

FLO Home X3

Canadian brand — designed and engineered in Canada; we list it as a Canadian brand only. Hardwired, so it stays as a building fixture. Wi-Fi app with access control per the listing. About ~$699.

FLO Home X3 hardwired on Amazon.ca · ~$699 Available at Amazon.ca

Never use a household extension cord or balcony / window drop — outlet + written permission first.

Imported alternative

Useful when Canadian hardware does not fit budget or plug — clearly labeled, not Made in Canada or a Canadian brand.

AIMILER 32A weatherproof Level 2 EV charger
4.6 · 1,228 ratings

Imported alternative

Ships from Amazon

Recently ~$252 on Amazon.ca (list ~$280) — confirm current price

AIMILER 32A

Imported lower-cost plug-in (NEMA 14-50, up to 32 A) with a 25 ft cable. Not Made in Canada or a Canadian brand. Confirm the Canada safety mark and plug type on the listing. About ~$280.

AIMILER 32A on Amazon.ca · ~$280 Available at Amazon.ca

Full outdoor shortlist → · Portable L2 for apartments → · Compare chargers →

Safety non-negotiables

  • No balcony cords or window drops to the parking stall
  • No household extension cords for EV charging
  • Block-heater plugs are not automatic EV approval
  • CSA, cUL, or ETL-C listed EVSE only
  • Licensed electrician for new receptacles or circuits — confirm your province’s permit rules
  • Stop if a plug or cable is hot, discoloured, or tripping the breaker

Disclosure & not-advice note

Affiliate disclosure: NoGarageEV links to Amazon.ca and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Prices, ratings, and stock change — confirm on the live listing.

Not legal or electrical advice. Timelines, amp figures, and program notes are directional; confirm your lease, condo declaration and by-laws, provincial rules, and the charger manual. NoGarageEV writes Canada-first from Ontario; always confirm with your landlord or board, a licensed electrician, and the official program pages before you rely on anything here.