Bill AB 2565 was passed 52 votes to 25, and will void any terms in leases renewed or extended from 1st January 2015 which would otherwise prohibit a charging point being installed at a property.

Instead, landlords will have to approve applications to install the charger in an allotted parking space at the property. The only exclusions are rent-controlled properties, car parks where 10% of spaces already have a charging point, or where there are less than five parking spaces such as in an apartment block.

Properties where a parking space is not included are also not covered by the bill, but landlords can designate an electric vehicle space and add this to the cost of the lease.

Tenants must apply in writing, and all installations must comply with federal, state and local laws. Responsibility for the installation, maintenance, repair and removal of the unit and supporting wiring also falls on the tenant, who must have a $1,000,000 general liability insurance policy to cover its use.