765 ILCS 1085/35

(765 ILCS 1085/35)

Sec. 35. Electric vehicle charging system policy for renters.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision in the lease to the contrary and subject to subsection (b):

(1) a tenant may install, at the tenant's expense for the tenant's own use, a level 1 receptacle or outlet, a level 2 receptacle or outlet, or a level 2 electric vehicle charging system on or in the leased premises;

(2) a landlord shall not assess or charge a tenant any fee for the placement or use of an electric vehicle charging system, except that:

(A) the landlord may:

(i) require reimbursement for the actual cost of electricity provided by the landlord that was used by the electric vehicle charging system;

(ii) charge a reasonable fee for access. If the electric vehicle charging system is part of a network for which a network fee is charged, the landlord's reimbursement may include the amount of the network fee. Nothing in this subparagraph requires a landlord to impose upon a tenant a fee or charge other than the rental payments specified in the lease; or

(iii) charge a security deposit to cover costs to restore the property to its original condition if the tenant removes the electric vehicle charging system;

(B) the landlord may require reimbursement for the cost of the installation of the electric vehicle charging system, including any additions or upgrades to existing wiring directly attributable to the requirements of the electric vehicle charging system, if the landlord places or causes the electric vehicle charging system to be placed at the request of the tenant; and

(C) if the tenant desires to place an electric vehicle charging system in an area accessible to other tenants, the landlord may assess or charge the tenant a reasonable fee to reserve a specific parking space in which to install the electric vehicle charging system.

(b) A landlord may require a tenant to comply with:

(1) bona fide safety requirements consistent with an applicable building code or recognized safety standard for the protection of persons and property;

(2) a requirement that the electric vehicle charging system be registered with the landlord within 30 days after installation; or

(3) reasonable aesthetic provisions that govern the dimensions, placement, or external appearance of an electric vehicle charging system.

(c) A tenant may place an electric vehicle charging system if:

(1) the electric vehicle charging system is in compliance with all applicable requirements adopted by a landlord under subsection (b); and

(2) the tenant agrees, in writing, to:

(A) comply with the landlord's design specifications for the installation of an electric vehicle charging system;

(B) engage the services of a duly licensed and registered electrical contractor familiar with the installation and code requirements of an electric vehicle charging system; and

(C) provide, within 14 days after receiving the landlord's consent for the installation, a certificate of insurance naming the landlord as an additional insured party on the tenant's renter's insurance policy for any claim related to the installation, maintenance, or use of the electric vehicle charging system or, at the landlord's option, reimbursement to the landlord for the actual cost of any increased insurance premium amount attributable to the electric vehicle charging system, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the lease. The tenant shall provide reimbursement for an increased insurance premium amount within 14 days after the tenant receives the landlord's invoice for the amount attributable to the electric vehicle charging system.

(d) If the landlord consents to a tenant's installation of an electric vehicle charging system on property accessible to other tenants, including a parking space, carport, or garage stall, then, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement with the landlord:

(1) The tenant, and each successive tenant with exclusive rights to the area where the electric vehicle charging system is installed, is responsible for costs for damages to the electric vehicle charging system and to any other property of the landlord or another tenant resulting from the installation, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of the electric vehicle charging system.

(A) Costs under this paragraph shall be based on:

(i) an embedded submetering device; or

(ii) a reasonable calculation of cost, based on the average miles driven, efficiency of the electric vehicle calculated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the cost of electricity for the common area.

(B) The purpose of the costs under this paragraph is for reasonable reimbursement of electricity usage and shall not be set to deliberately exceed that reasonable reimbursement.

(2) Each successive tenant with exclusive rights to the area where the electric vehicle charging system is installed shall assume responsibility for the repair, maintenance, removal, and replacement of the electric vehicle charging system until the electric vehicle charging system is removed.

(3) The tenant, and each successive tenant with exclusive rights to the area where the electric vehicle charging system is installed, shall, at all times, have and maintain an insurance policy covering the obligations of the tenant under this subsection and shall name the landlord as an additional insured party under the policy.

(4) The tenant, and each successive tenant with exclusive rights to the area where the electric vehicle charging system is installed, is responsible for removing the system if reasonably necessary or convenient for the repair, maintenance, or replacement of any property of the landlord, whether or not leased to another tenant.

(e) An electric vehicle charging system installed at the tenant's cost is the property of the tenant. Upon termination of the lease, if the electric vehicle charging system is removable, the tenant may either remove it or sell it to the landlord or another tenant for an agreed price. Nothing in this subsection requires the landlord or another tenant to purchase the electric vehicle charging system.

(f) A landlord that willfully violates this Section shall be liable to the tenant for actual damages, and shall pay a civil penalty to the tenant in an amount not to exceed $1,000.

(g) In any action by a tenant requesting to have an electric vehicle charging system installed and seeking to enforce compliance with this Section, the court shall award reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing plaintiff.

(h) A tenant whose landlord is an owner in an association and who desires to install an electric vehicle charging station must obtain approval to do so through the tenant's landlord or owner and in accordance with those provisions of this Act applicable to associations.

(Source: P.A. 103-53, eff. 1-1-24; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)