Landlords required to build EV chargers at renters' request with new Illinois law

Those in the housing industry are weighing in on the Illinois' new law that requires landlords to build electric vehicle charging stations into residential buildings upon tenants' request.

Senate Bill 40 was approved earlier this year and starting Jan. 1, the law requires single-family homes and newly constructed residential buildings with parking spaces to provide a conduit allowing EV charging if needed. During fall veto session, the measure was amended to require a charging station capabilities for each available parking space.

Illinois home builder Dean Graven said changes were made to reduce costs.

"We have to put in a conduit or a pipe from the breaker box to one location in the garage," Graven told The Center Square. "Teslas take 240 [volt], and other cars are 180, and if you get the cheapest electric car, you can plug into a 110 outlet. We got away from putting in something expensive that would cost thousands of dollars versus just a conduit system."

Most of the debate during the legislative session centered around the costs involved in the construction. Paul Arena with Illinois Rental Property Owners Association, who were against the original bill, said costs would increase but not by that much.

"It will increase the cost of construction but not to the point where we felt it would be a deterrent," Arena said. "Our concern was mostly around renovation and what activities the tenants were permitted to do."

Graven said the amendment to the law also addressed concerns he had regarding future home prices.

"This did not affect new home construction," Graven said. "That was our major concern when the bill came out because it was going to drive the cost of housing even higher."

Arena said he does not anticipate a large number of stations being built.

"We don't see there being this tremendous demand for electric vehicles. I don't think there will be a lot of them," Arena said. "I think what it will impact is new construction."

Graven compared the process to one wanting to build a jacuzzi.

"To me, it's like, do you want a hot tub in your bathroom," Graven said. "It is an addition to a house cost that the consumer drives. They will pay for it if they need it. If they do not, they will walk away from it."

The measure also allows landlords to charge a security deposit to cover the costs of restoring the property to its original condition once a tenant moves out.