Part P Explained: Electrical Work and Building Control for Homeowners

What Is Part P?

Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical safety in dwellings. It requires that any electrical installation work in a home is carried out by a competent person and, in many cases, notified to building control. The regulation exists to ensure that electrical work — even seemingly minor jobs — does not create safety hazards.

Part P applies to all dwellings, including houses, flats, and HMOs. It covers both owner-occupied and rented properties, though enforcement is particularly strict for landlords because tenant safety is at stake.

Notifiable vs Non-Notifiable Work

Part P distinguishes between work that must be notified to building control and work that does not require notification. Understanding this distinction saves time and money.

• Notifiable: New circuits, replacement of consumer units, work in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoors
• Notifiable: Any work in a special location (bathroom, kitchen, garden, shed with mains supply)
• Notifiable: Addition of new socket outlets on existing circuits (in some local authorities)
• Non-notifiable: Replacing like-for-like accessories (switches, sockets, light fittings) on existing circuits
• Non-notifiable: Minor repairs such as replacing a damaged cable in an accessible location
• Non-notifiable: Installing low-voltage systems (doorbells, security alarms, networking cables)

Competent Person Schemes

The simplest way to comply with Part P is to use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme. NAPIT and NICEIC are the two main schemes. Registered electricians can self-certify their work and notify building control directly — you do not need to apply separately.

• NAPIT-registered electricians can self-certify both inspection and installation work
• NICEIC-registered electricians can self-certify installation and some inspection work
• The electrician issues a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate within 30 days
• The scheme operator notifies building control on your behalf
• Work is registered on a national database for future reference
• You receive a warranty-backed guarantee on the installation

What If I Don't Use a Registered Electrician?

If you carry out notifiable work yourself or use an unregistered electrician, you must apply for building control approval before starting work. This involves submitting plans and paying a fee, and arranging inspection visits.

• Submit a building notice or full plans application to your local authority before work begins
• Pay the building control fee (varies by authority)
• The building control officer will inspect the work at first fix and second fix stages
• Upon satisfactory completion, you receive a Building Regulations Completion Certificate
• Failure to notify can result in enforcement action, fines, and requirement to expose work for inspection

How Part P Affects EICRs

EICRs often reveal Part P non-compliance from previous work. Unregistered alterations, missing certificates, and unsafe DIY additions are common findings. When an EICR identifies such work, the inspector may issue a C2 or FI code requiring the work to be brought into compliance.

If you're buying a property, ask the seller for Part P certificates for any electrical work carried out in the last 10 years. Missing certificates can affect mortgage approvals and insurance.