An escalating conflict between a couple in Fredericia, Denmark, and their housing association over the installation of an electric vehicle charging station has reached the Supreme Court (Højesteret). The dispute began when the building superintendent pointed out that the charging station had been installed unlawfully. The couple set up the charging station in 2021 after acquiring a hybrid car, but their request for official approval from the housing office was denied, and they were instructed to remove the installation.
The Fredericia Resident Complaints Board (Beboerklagenævnet) initially ruled in favor of the couple, stating that electric vehicle charging stations have become so common that they should be considered a standard installation. However, the board emphasized the importance of adhering to parking regulations, which require vehicles to be parked in designated areas. Despite the board’s support, the housing association proceeded to take the matter to the District Court in Kolding, which ruled in their favor. Only one of the three judges agreed with the Resident Complaints Board’s assessment.
The couple then appealed to the West Denmark Court of Appeals (Vestre Landsret), which also sided with the housing association. The court argued that an electric vehicle charging station could not be classified as a standard installation under the Danish rent law (almindelig lejelov) and asserted that the growing prevalence of such stations did not affect the legal assessment. Unfortunately for the couple, they were also ordered to pay costs amounting to 32,500 Danish kroner (approximately $4,600 USD).
Despite these set-backs, the couple remains determined and has received permission from the Process Granting Board (Procesbevillingsnævnet) to present their case to the Supreme Court. The Board considers the case significant enough for a Supreme Court hearing, although a date for the hearing has yet to be established. This case may have far-reaching implications for future determinations regarding what is considered standard installations in rental properties.