What Is Part P of the Building Regulations?

Introduced in 2005, it exists to ensure that all electrical installations in homes are carried out safely and to a recognised standard, helping to protect people from electric shock, fire, and injury.

In simple terms, Part P covers the safety of fixed electrical installations in domestic properties. This includes houses, flats, gardens, garages, conservatories, sheds, and outbuildings that receive electrical power from the main dwelling.

The core requirement of Part P is that electrical work must be designed and installed so it is safe for anyone using, maintaining, or altering it. This means all work must comply with the current version of BS 7671 – the IET Wiring Regulations.

Who Is Responsible for Compliance?

Many homeowners assume that responsibility sits entirely with the electrician. However, legally, the homeowner or landlord is ultimately responsible for ensuring the work complies with Part P.

This is a key point and one many people do not realise.

If electrical work is carried out incorrectly or not properly notified where required, the property owner may face issues when selling the property, remortgaging, making an insurance claim, or even dealing with local authority enforcement.

That is why choosing a qualified and registered electrician is so important.

What Work Is Notifiable Under Part P?

Not all electrical work needs to be formally notified to building control, but certain types do.

The main types of notifiable work include:

• Installation of a new circuit
• Consumer unit (fuse board) replacement

electrical work in a special location, such as:

• Bathrooms
• Shower rooms
• Areas around swimming pools
• Saunas
• Some outdoor fixed electrical installations
• EV charger installations
• Power supplies to garden rooms or outbuildings

For example, installing a new shower circuit, upgrading a fuse board, or wiring a garden office would normally fall under notifiable work.

Smaller jobs such as replacing a socket faceplate, changing a light fitting, or swapping a switch on an existing circuit are generally non-notifiable, provided they are not in special locations.

Why Does This Matter?

When notifiable work is completed, the homeowner should receive:

• an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Works Certificate
• a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (Part P notification)

These documents are extremely important for legal compliance and future property transactions.

Why Use a Part P Registered Electrician?

When having electrical work carried out in your home, choosing a Part P registered electrician offers major benefits beyond simply getting the job done.

The biggest advantage is that they can self-certify notifiable work and handle the building control notification process on your behalf.

This saves you time, money, and a lot of stress.

They Handle the Paperwork

If work is notifiable under Part P and you use a registered electrician, they will submit the notification through their competent person scheme, such as NICEIC.

This means you do not need to contact your local authority building control yourself.

If you use someone who is not registered, you must notify building control before work starts, which often involves additional fees and inspections.

Saves Building Control Fees

Using a registered electrician often avoids building control charges, which can be several hundred pounds depending on your local council.

This can make the overall process more cost-effective.

Certification Is Included

A Part P registered electrician should provide:

• Electrical Installation Certificate
• Minor Works Certificate (where applicable)
• Building Regulations Compliance Certificate

These are essential documents for:

• Selling your property
• Re-mortgaging
• Insurance claims
• Proving work is compliant
• Added Peace of Mind

NICEIC Registered electricians are regularly assessed and must work to BS 7671 standards.

This gives homeowners confidence that the work is both safe and legal.

What If You’ve Been Left Without a Certificate or Part P Notification?

Unfortunately, this is something many homeowners only discover when they come to sell their property.

An electrician may have completed the work but failed to provide:

• An Electrical Installation Certificate
• A Minor Works Certificate
• Part P building regulations notification

This can create serious problems.

First – Contact the Electrician

Your first step should always be to request the missing documents in writing.

Ask specifically for:

• Electrical Installation Certificate
• Building Regulations Compliance Certificate
• Confirmation of their registration scheme

Keep copies of all communication.

Check Whether They Are Registered

You can search the electrician on the Electrical Safety First Part P register

If they re registered, they should be able to issue the paperwork and confirm whether notification was submitted.

If They Are Not Registered

If they are not Part P registered and the work was notifiable, you may need to contact your local authority building control department.

They may inspect the installation retrospectively, though this often involves a fee.

Obtain an EICR

A good next step is arranging an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from another qualified electrician.

This does not replace the original installation certificate, but it helps demonstrate the current safety condition of the installation.

For Property Sales

Solicitors often ask for Part P paperwork during conveyancing.

If you do not have it, you may need:

• Retrospective building control approval
• Indemnity insurance
• An EICR
• Remedial work if faults are found

If you'd like your local and friendly electrician to have a look at your electrics, get in touch today!