Our tenant from No. 3 sent us an eMail last weekend. He told us that he was looking into buying a Hybrid EV, the type that will run on battery for 30 – 40 miles, then runs on gas until the battery is recharged. These do make a lot of sense to me, but they only make sense if you can readily recharge overnight. Our tenant was asking if there might be any way for him to pay us for the privilege of recharging in our parking garage. As it turns out, electricity is readily available in that garage.

Our house rules deal with this as follows:

28: EV/Hybrid Vehicle Charging, other charging: Do not use any outlet in the common areas of the rental property for charging of any devices, including Electronic Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, electric scooters, electric motor bikes, or any other chargeable devices. Such use would be considered theft from the owners of the property unless specifically authorized, in writing, by the owners or the managers of the property.

An average EV uses about 0.35 kWh per mile. For the owner who drives an average of 1000 miles per month, that owner will use about 350 kWh per month.

Assuming electrical energy costs about 28 cents per kWh, then that EV will cost about $100 to re-charge each month.

Based on this, a rental property owner could simply permit a tenant to “plug in” each day, charge the tenant $150 per month, and probably do OK,, at current electrical rates, This assumes that the tenant is not abusing the privilege, and driving much more than average.

This would involve a totally separate agreement, in no way connected to the rental agreement. You would be selling electricity in a manner unrelated to the terms of your lease with this or any other tenant.

As an alternative, an owner could elect to install charging stations, and charge based on actual usage, and at a cost and profit per KWH as determined by the owner.

This is “undiscovered country”, so legal advice is strongly suggested.

Dear Readers: This article is the 260th in a series based on the lessons we have learned the hard way. The contents of these articles are merely opinions of the writer. They are not intended as specific legal advice and should not be relied upon for that purpose. Our practice is in constant refinement as we adjust the way we operate to an ever- changing market. I appreciate your questions, comments, suggestions, and solutions. Contact C. Finley Beven, JD, CPM, CCAM, 99 S. Lake Avenue, Pasadena. Fin.Beven@BevenandBrock.com. www.BevenandBrock.com www.RentBandB.com/Vacancies