Electrical Works In Dwellings - Part P

Since 1st January 2005 electrical works in dwellings have been subject to control under Part P of the Building Regulations.

The Government introduced these regulations to reduce the amount of injuries, deaths and fires caused by faulty electrical installations. The new regulations make it harder for 'cowboy builders' to carry out unsafe electrical works.  

In the following situations you must gain approval for your electrical installation:

• New dwelling-houses and flats
• Dwellings and business premises which share an electrical supply (e.g. shops and pubs)
• Common access areas in flats (e.g. lobbies and laundry rooms)
• Outbuildings (e.g. sheds, greenhouses and detached garages)
• External situations associated with the building (e.g. pond pumps and fixed lighting)
• New circuits in existing dwellings or new extensions
• Works to existing domestic kitchens or bathrooms

You do not need to gain approval for the following domestic situations:

• Repairs, replacements or maintenance works
• Extra power points, lighting points or other alterations to existing circuits (except kitchens, bathrooms or outdoors)

A householder guide to electrical work can be viewed here  Part-P-Guide

There are two routes to gaining approval:

1. Using a Part P registered electrician

Part P registered electricians have gained certification to be able to self-certify their own work.

In this case the electrician will supply you with a certificate backed by one of the five scheme providers. This is the safest and cheapest route to complying with the Building Regulations and you will not need to make an application to Building Control.

The LABC provide further information on Part P registered electricians at www.competentperson.co.uk.

Please click here to search for a Part P registered electrician in your area.

2. Submitting a Building Notice to Building Control

This route is used where an unregistered electrician or other person carries out the installation.

A Building Notice will need to be submitted to Building Control (separate to that of one for any other works involved) and the fee of £225 paid on top of the fee paid to your electrician. The Council's electrical contractors will then inspect the works on behalf of Building Control before a certificate is issued.

We would strongly advise householders to use Route 1 and employ a Part P registered electrician.  

If you are carrying out domestic work under a Building Notice or Full Plans Submission which is to include electrical work you must include a Statement of Intent form showing which of the above routes you are following. You can download the form here.