Short answer: In NSW, an EV charger in a strata building is sustainability infrastructure. Installing one on common property usually needs a sustainability infrastructure resolution at a general meeting, which passes unless 50% or more of the value of votes cast are against it, or a by-law for your lot. The owners corporation must consider cost, ownership, maintenance and access. Since 1 July 2025, by-laws generally can’t block it just to preserve appearance, except in heritage-listed buildings or heritage conservation areas.
Inner West apartment blocks range from 1960s walk-ups in Ashfield and Croydon to new buildings in Camperdown and Canada Bay. If you live in one and want to charge an EV at home, the electrical work is only half the story. You also need strata approval. This guide explains the NSW rules and the practical options.
It’s general information, not legal advice. Check the linked NSW Government pages and your building’s by-laws.
Two ways to approach it
| Approach | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Individual charger | One owner installs a charger at their own car space, often connected to their unit’s supply | Small buildings, early adopters |
| Building-wide plan | The owners corporation plans shared infrastructure for current and future chargers | Medium and large buildings, avoiding a patchwork of installs |
The NSW Government’s EV-ready strata page recommends planning for the whole building rather than one-off installs where possible, because the building’s electrical capacity is shared.
The approval rules
Sustainability infrastructure resolution
Under the Strata Schemes Management Act, EV charging equipment counts as sustainability infrastructure. A sustainability infrastructure resolution passes unless 50% or more of the value of votes cast are against it. Before approving, the owners corporation must consider matters such as the cost, who owns the infrastructure, who maintains it and how other owners can access it.
Single-lot by-law
If an owner wants to install a charger for their own space using common property (for example, running cable through a common car park), a by-law is often used to set out who pays, who owns it and who maintains it. NSW Government template resources for single-lot EV by-laws note that the by-law must be registered with NSW Land Registry Services within 6 months.
2025 changes
The NSW Government’s guide to strata law changes explains that since 1 July 2025, by-laws can’t prevent sustainability infrastructure, such as EV chargers, solely to preserve the building’s external appearance. That doesn’t apply to heritage-listed buildings or buildings in heritage conservation areas. See also the NSW page on strata by-laws.
The electrical questions
Before any meeting, get an electrician to answer these:
- Where would the charger get its power? From your unit’s meter and switchboard, or from the common property supply?
- How will usage be measured? If it’s on common property power, owners usually want it separately metered or billed.
- What’s the cable route? From the meter room or your switchboard to the car space, through walls, ceilings or fire-rated barriers.
- Is there spare capacity? Older buildings may have limited capacity in the main switchboard and supply.
- Will load management be needed? Smart chargers can share capacity between several cars.
If the building’s supply needs upgrading, or meters need adding or moving, that work involves the network and needs a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider. Blue Link is not Level 2 accredited. We do the charger and internal wiring and will flag network work early. See what is a Level 2 electrician.
Step-by-step for an owner
- Read your by-laws and talk to your strata manager or committee.
- Get an electrical assessment and a written proposal: charger type, power source, cable route, metering and capacity.
- Prepare the motion for a general meeting, ideally with a by-law covering cost, ownership, maintenance, insurance and removal.
- Vote, then register any by-law within the required time.
- Install, with compliance certificate and records given to the owners corporation.
Choosing the charger
Many apartment owners go for a 7 kW single-phase smart charger, but the right choice depends on your building’s capacity. Our guide to choosing a home EV charger and EV charger installation cost explain the options.
Want an EV charger in your apartment building? We assess strata car parks, prepare clear proposals for committees and install EV chargers across the Inner West. Call 0421 772 661.
Tips for committees
- Plan for the future. Most buildings will have several EVs within a few years.
- Include sustainability in capital works planning. The NSW Government notes that AGMs must consider sustainability and capital works fund estimates must include sustainability infrastructure.
- Use a consistent approach so individual chargers don’t use up all the spare capacity.
- Keep records of each installation, CCEW and by-law.
We install EV chargers in Croydon, Ashfield, Canada Bay and Camperdown.
Frequently asked questions
Can my strata stop me installing an EV charger in NSW?
Strata must follow the rules for sustainability infrastructure. A resolution passes unless 50% or more of the value of votes cast are against it. Since 1 July 2025, by-laws can’t block it solely to preserve appearance, except in heritage buildings or areas.
Who pays for an EV charger in strata?
Usually the owner who wants it, under a by-law. For shared infrastructure, the owners corporation decides how costs are shared.
Do I need a by-law for an EV charger?
Often, especially if the installation uses or changes common property. The by-law sets out cost, ownership and maintenance, and must be registered.
Can I plug my EV into a power point in my car space?
Only if the power point is yours and suitable, and charging is allowed. Using common property power without approval isn’t. A dedicated charger is safer and faster.