In this guide
First, the owner’s written approval
Under the Civil Code of Québec, a tenant may not change the form of the dwelling (article 1856) and must return it to its original condition at the end of the lease (articles 1890 and 1891). A charger requires an electrical circuit, so it means work: get the owner’s written approval before ordering anything. The Écorecharge program says so too: applicants must obtain the required authorizations before carrying out the project.
In your request, specify:
- the charger’s location and the cable route;
- the panel and meter used (your unit’s or the common areas’);
- who pays for the work and the electricity;
- what happens to the charger at the end of the lease.
The grants by type of building
- House or duplex: the Écorecharge home grant pays $600 for buying or leasing long term an eligible, connected Level 2 charger. It is for the person who owns or leases the vehicle long term and lives in Québec; installation is not covered.
- Triplex, fourplex or building with five or more units, with shared parking: the grant for an individual charger in a multi-unit building covers purchase and installation, up to $5,000. According to the official page, the applicant can be the owner or the tenant of the unit.
- The building owner goes through another part of the program, which can pay 50% of upgrading the parking’s electrical infrastructure, up to $120,000 per building.
What the electrician checks
- The capacity of your unit’s panel, through a load calculation.
- The distance and route to your parking spot.
- The meter the charger will be connected to.
- Whether load management is needed if capacity is tight.
With those answers, we give you a clear proposal you can attach to your request to the owner.
New buildings
According to the Government of Québec, new residential buildings must include the basic electrical infrastructure for chargers: since April 1, 2019 for buildings with four units or fewer, and from October 17, 2027 for buildings with more than four units. In a recent building, the work may therefore be simpler.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the owner say no?
- A tenant can’t change the form of the dwelling without the owner’s approval, and a charger requires electrical work. A clear proposal helps: location, cable route, which meter is used, who pays what, and what happens at the end of the lease.
- Who pays for the charger’s electricity?
- If the charger is connected to your unit’s panel, the electricity goes on your meter and your bill. If it is connected to a common meter, you need to agree with the owner on how it is paid.
- What happens to the charger when I move?
- Under the Civil Code, a tenant must return the dwelling to its original condition at the end of the lease. Agree in writing with the owner on whether the charger stays or is removed, and who pays for removal.
Sources
- Locataires et propriétaires (obligations prévues au Code civil du Québec), Institut national de santé publique du Québec, checked on October 17, 2026
- Programme Écorecharge, cadre normatifPDF, Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, checked on October 17, 2026
- Borne individuelle en multilogement : demandeurs admissibles, Gouvernement du Québec, checked on October 17, 2026
- Installer des bornes de recharge en multilogement, Gouvernement du Québec, checked on October 17, 2026
About this guide
Written by LTE Électrique, a master electrician’s business in Sherbrooke (RBQ licence 5874-5597-01, CMEQ member). Every rule comes from Québec’s Construction Code or an official source, listed above with the date it was checked. French version reviewed by William Letendre, master electrician, on October 17, 2026.
About usCite this guide
To cite this guide, use its title, author and address:
“EV charger as a tenant: the owner’s approval, the grants and your options”, LTE Électrique, https://www.lteelectrique.com/en/guides/ev-charger-for-tenants, French version reviewed by William Letendre, master electrician, on October 17, 2026.