How to get EV charging approved in your strata building
Most strata buildings that haven't added EV charging yet aren't stuck because of cost or hardware. They're stuck in process – and a lot of that comes down to two misconceptions:
that you need a lawyer to draft a by-law, and
that you need to wait until the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Neither is true!
This article walks through what the approval process actually looks like, and how long (or short!) it can realistically take when you know what's required.
This is for you if you are:
A strata committee member whose building wants to add EV charging but hasn't started the process
An owners corporation manager or strata manager fielding questions from residents about EV chargers
An EV owner in an apartment building who doesn't know where to begin
Anyone who has been told "it's too complicated" and isn't sure whether to believe it
How the approval process works (in NSW)
There are typically three things that need to happen before a charger can be installed in a strata building: a by-law needs to be drafted, a general meeting needs to be held, and a vote for the new by-law needs to pass. Here's what each of those actually involves.
Step 1: Draft the by-law — using a free government template
A by-law is a formal rule that governs how EV charging works in your building — who can install, who pays for electricity, how the infrastructure is maintained (and how is the common property affected). Every strata building needs one before a charger goes in.
The good news: you don’t need to pay a solicitor to write one from scratch. Energy NSW has published a free template motions and by-laws specifically for strata EV charging.
A strata manager or committee member can adapt the relevant template without legal involvement. However, independent legal advice is still worth considering if the building’s circumstances are complex.
Step 2: Call a general meeting — you don’t have to wait for AGM, it can be a paper, or online EGM
Once the by-law is drafted, it needs to go to a general meeting of the owners corporation for a vote. This can be an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) — it doesn't have to wait for the next AGM.
Importantly, EGMs can be run as paper, or online, meetings — votes submitted in writing without everyone physically gathering in one place in person. This is often the most practical option and often overlooked.
The secretary (or strata manager) gives the required written notice to all owners, with the agenda and the proposed by-law included.
Step 3: The vote — and what happens if not enough people show up and no quorum is established (important!)
This is where most committees get stuck — not because the rules are hard, but because they’re not well understood. Committees often assume that low owner engagement means a meeting can fail or drag on indefinitely. The legislation tells a different story.
The quorum rules
For in-person and online meetings, a quorum is usually 25% of owners entitled to vote (in person or by proxy). If quorum isn’t reached and depending on how the meeting is organised, the chairperson has two options:
In person, or online meeting: After 30 minutes, the chairperson may declare that those present now constitute a quorum and proceed with the meeting. The by‑law is approved if more than 50% of votes cast are in favour.
Paper meeting: he meeting must be adjourned for at least seven days.If the meeting is adjourned, the rescheduled meeting goes ahead automatically after the minimum seven‑day period. If quorum still isn’t met at the adjourned meeting, the chairperson must declare those present a quorum and the vote proceeds — regardless of turnout.
So the decision cannot be blocked indefinitely by low turnout. In both in‑person/online meetings (after the 30‑minute quorum period) and adjourned paper meetings, the by‑law can be approved even if only one person is present and as long as that person votes in favour.
Note: the 30-minute rule above applies to in-person and online general meetings under the SSMA 2015. If your building is running a paper-based (circulated) EGM, confirm the applicable quorum and adjournment rules with your strata manager, as the process may differ.
The vote threshold
EV charging is classified as sustainability infrastructure under the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Sustainability Infrastructure) Act 2021. That means the resolution passes unless more than 50% of votes cast are against it — down from the old 75% special resolution requirement.
How long does this take?
A process that buildings often assume will take six months to a year can realistically wrap up in a matter of weeks:
Adapt the by-law template: a few days
Give notice of the EGM: minimum 7 days
Hold the vote: at the meeting or by paper
If adjourned for quorum: another 7 days minimum
In the best case, you're looking at two to three weeks from start to approved by-law. Even with delays, most buildings can get this done in under two months.
Where to from here
If your building has been sitting on this, it's worth revisiting. The by-law template is already written. The vote threshold is lower and easier than most people expect. And the general meeting can go ahead regardless of turnout.
If you'd like to talk through what the process looks like for your building, let's have a chat.
Disclaimer: We have made every effort to ensure the information in this article is accurate and up to date. However, this is general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Strata legislation varies by state and territory.
