Future Group Client Update: Important Changes to OZEV EV Charging Grants

What is changing?

From 1 April, the following updates come into force:

1. Flat & Renters and Residential Landlord charging grants increase from £350 to £500 per socket

On the surface this appears positive, but…

2. The Landlord Infrastructure Grant will close on 31 March 2026

This is the crucial change.
The current infrastructure grant, which helps fund the backbone of EV charging systems in blocks of flats (e.g. cable routes, supply upgrades, containment), is being withdrawn.

For many developments, this has been the only way to make larger, future-proofed installations financially viable.

3. OZEV will allow leaseholders to apply directly for £500 towards an active charge point

This poses a major risk for managed buildings if not controlled properly.

Why does this matter to property managers and RMCs?

1. Loss of up to £30,000 of funding for in-progress designs

Many buildings currently in design or awaiting committee approval may lose tens of thousands in infrastructure support if projects are not approved and contracted in time.

If your block has designs or proposals already prepared, now is the time to push these forward. Delay could mean the difference between receiving £25-£30k of support, or none at all.

2. Increased risk of unsafe or non-compliant installations by leaseholders

With leaseholders now eligible to apply for a £500 grant directly, there is a real concern that some may attempt to:

• appoint their own electrician,

• install chargers without reference to the building’s electrical capacity,

• bypass necessary fire system integration, and

• carry out works without consent under the lease.

This creates serious risks, including:

• overloading main supplies

• voiding building insurance

• compromising fire safety compliance

• creating unmanaged cables or containment routes

• legal disputes if works breach lease covenants

For PMs and RMCs, it is more important than ever to ensure no leaseholder-driven installations take place without formal approval and technical assessment.

3. Potential for fragmented, unmanageable EV charging systems

A building-wide, future-proofed infrastructure ensures:

• equal access for all residents

• controlled load management

• safe emergency cut-off and fire integration

• a unified billing and management system

Without this, buildings risk ending up with a patchwork of incompatible chargers, unsafe DIY wiring, and long-term management issues.

What Future Group advises

1. Push pending projects forward immediately

If your block has:

• design work completed

• a proposal under review

• a project awaiting sign-off

…you may be at risk of losing substantial infrastructure funding.

We strongly recommend bringing these to committee or board attention urgently before grant pathways narrow further.

2. Issue immediate guidance to residents

To prevent unapproved installations, PMs should circulate a clear message stating:

• No resident should install or commission EV charging equipment without written approval.

• All requests must be assessed for building capacity, fire safety, lease compliance, and insurance.

• Only contractors experienced in leasehold EV infrastructure should be used.

Future Group can provide a template communication if required.

3. Continue with a whole-building approach wherever possible

Future Group remains committed to:

• capacity assessments

• load management solutions

• safe cable routing

• fire system integration

• future-proofed infrastructure plans

• compliant installation

• a single managed system for all residents

A building-wide approach is still the safest, fairest, and most cost-effective long-term solution.

Our position

These changes will have a profound impact on the leasehold EV market.
But as a diversified business operating across Fire, Electrical, Lighting, Security, Compliance and EV, Future Group is stable, well-positioned, and fully equipped to guide clients through this transition.

Our priority is ensuring:

• buildings remain safe

• installations remain compliant

• residents do not inadvertently put themselves or the block at risk

• property managers have the right information and support

• infrastructure projects are advanced before grant funding disappears

Next steps

If you manage a block where EV charging has been discussed, designed or proposed, please contact us urgently.

Even a quick review could be the difference between securing up to £30,000 of grant funding… or losing it entirely.

Future Group remains here to support you through these changes and ensure your buildings remain compliant, safe, and future-ready.