Vendor uninstalling EV charging point

discat11

Normally charging points in domestic dwelling are the 30amp version and cabling/ fuseway etc appropriate. As long as it's electrically isolated (easy enough to simply switch off the MCB and cap the end in a waterproof enclosure) then you can fit any suitable charger box to it at a later date. 
Mine was a very expensive box, but I doubt we'd go to the bother of taking it off if we moved -technology moves on and most of the cost IIRC was in the installation of the cable etc.

Jonboy_1984

I think new installs need an Internet connected data cable** as well as a power supply, so you may not be able to directly install a new charger without additional work. How it applies with installing an old charger at a new location I dont know.

**apparently the chargers report dedicated use and can be turned off remotely if the local grid is overloaded under the smart grid plans. 

ThisIsWeird

OP, was it mentioned, or 'obviously' photographed, in the EA's selling particulars?

Yes, pretty much anything can be removed and taken as long as this is made clear, but it would be very poor form to leave this unexpected info until the SIP stage, when the sale is well under way, and costs incurred.

At what stage were you actually informed the CP was being taken?

Gavin83

Sarahspangles said:

It's just one more thing to cover on the Property Information Form so you know what you are getting. People used to remove more than they do nowadays, at one time some vendors would take things like brass switch and socket covers or pendant light fittings, and if you were lucky they would fit a generic white plastic cover or ceiling rose.

We have some designer lights and May possibly have some designer switches/sockets in the future. Were I to move I’d consider taking these with me. However I would take them down before any pictures were taken or viewings took place to avoid any confusion.

Jonboy_1984 said:

I think new installs need an Internet connected data cable** as well as a power supply, so you may not be able to directly install a new charger without additional work. How it applies with installing an old charger at a new location I dont know.

**apparently the chargers report dedicated use and can be turned off remotely if the local grid is overloaded under the smart grid plans. 

That sounds like something I’d be taking out as soon as it was installed. 😊

FreeBear

discat11 said: Normally charging points in domestic dwelling are the 30amp version and cabling/ fuseway etc appropriate. As long as it's electrically isolated (easy enough to simply switch off the MCB and cap the end in a waterproof enclosure)

Just flicking the MCB off does not isolate the cable entirely. Whilst the Live side will be relatively safe, the Neutral will still be "hot". Ideally, the cable in question should be physically disconnected at the consumer unit to ensure that it can never become live. Failing that, terminate the loose end of the cable inside an appropriate enclosure and place a warning label on it.

[Deleted User]

If they remove it, make sure they have a receipt from an electrician who put the cover on and signed off on it being safe.

Pendrive

Tiglet2 said:

 It might have been better for the vendor to negotiate a price with you to leave it, rather than tell you it's not included.

It certainly might have been better for someone to have mentioned it earlier, rather than my being told by the EA during two separate viewings that it was included! They say their people when carrying out the viewings didn't know; and it's of course possible the vendors just decided on this when filling the property information form. 

Pendrive

housebuyer143 said:

What does the property information form say about it? They can take things like this if they specifically make mention of it in this form. 

It was added to the form as being excluded from what was being left at the property - ie they want to take it with them. I don't doubt they can take it with them, but the form was the first I heard about it, despite carrying out two viewings; and I don't know the implications of its being removed and any issues that may leave me with. There have already been issues arising over covenants I was told definitely didn't exist, which have turned out very much to exist. Now I'm trying to find out if this charger issue may represent any significant additional hassle, expense etc.

Pendrive

Section62 said:

And whether they want/need a charging point ought to be the first question - if they have no need for one then where is the wrong in the current owner taking theirs (provided this is in the contract) and keeping it in use, rather than left uselessly behind?

The second question is what exactly is meant by "set into the exterior of the front wall"?  If this means it is a built in cupboard (like a meter cupboard) then I'd want to be sure the wall hasn't been affected by the installation, and that the proposed replacement cover arrangement gives adequate weather protection/draughtproofing/insulation.

A picture of the existing arrangement would be useful.

I don't need a charging point right now. But I equally don't want hassle and expense of sorting out the remnants of one that was fitted previously and then removed. Your second paragraph as quoted above is precisely the kind of hassle I don't want to be left with.

I'm not close to the property to take a photo, and the vendor isn't either, apparently - the house isn't currently being lived in. What would have been useful would have been to have been told about the charger during one of the two viewings, because I would have indeed taken photos to show, and to ask about this then.

Pendrive

Sarahspangles said:

It's just one more thing to cover on the Property Information Form so you know what you are getting. People used to remove more than they do nowadays, at one time some vendors would take things like brass switch and socket covers or pendant light fittings, and if you were lucky they would fit a generic white plastic cover or ceiling rose.

Indeed, but all of those things I could sort out myself. An EV charger built into an exterior wall of the property is a bit different