Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical safety in homes in England. New circuits, consumer unit replacements and new work in bathrooms near the bath or shower are notifiable. Wylde Green Electrical is NAPIT registered, so we self-certify notifiable work and you receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate.
Wylde Green Electrical Ltd, NAPIT registered (NAPIT). Published and last reviewed: .
At a glance
- Applies to
- Electrical work in homes in England
- Notifiable
- New circuits, consumer unit replacements, special locations
- Not notifiable
- Like-for-like replacements, most additions to existing circuits
- Easiest route
- Use a registered competent person who self-certifies
- Why it matters
- Certificates are asked for when you sell your home
Part P of the Building Regulations sets the safety requirement for electrical installations in homes in England. Its practical detail, including which jobs must be notified to building control, is set out in Approved Document P. Wales has its own version of the rules.
Which electrical work is notifiable under Part P?
- Installing a new circuit, of any kind
- Replacing a consumer unit
- Adding to or altering a circuit in a special location, such as a room with a bath or shower, within the zones around it
Which work is not notifiable under Part P?
- Replacing sockets, switches, light fittings and ceiling roses like for like
- Adding sockets or light points to an existing circuit, outside a special location
- Replacing a damaged cable on a single circuit along the same route
- Installing or upgrading main and supplementary bonding
Non-notifiable work still has to be done safely and to BS 7671, and should still come with a certificate from the electrician.
How is Part P work certified?
| Route | How it works |
|---|---|
| Registered competent person | The electrician self-certifies and the scheme notifies building control. You receive a compliance certificate. |
| Building notice | You notify building control before work starts and pay their fee; they inspect the work. |
| Third-party certifier | A registered third-party inspects work done by an unregistered installer. |
The competent person route is the simplest and usually the cheapest. You can check an electrician's registration on the Electrical Competent Person register, and the list of authorised schemes is on GOV.UK.
Why does Part P certification matter?
Solicitors ask for Building Regulations certificates when you sell a home. Missing paperwork for a rewire, extension or consumer unit can delay a sale. Building control can also require non-compliant work to be put right.
Wylde Green Electrical self-certifies notifiable work through NAPIT, including consumer unit upgrades and first and second fix electrics.
Frequently asked questions
What electrical work is notifiable under Part P?
New circuits, replacement consumer units, and additions or alterations to circuits in special locations such as bathrooms near the bath or shower are notifiable under Part P in England.
Can I replace a light fitting without notifying building control?
Yes. Replacing a light fitting, socket or switch like for like is not notifiable, although it must still be done safely. Work in bathroom zones has extra rules.
What is a Building Regulations compliance certificate?
It is the document confirming that notifiable electrical work complies with the Building Regulations. When a registered competent person does the work, the scheme issues it to the homeowner.
What if electrical work was done without Part P certification?
Building control may accept a regularisation application, which usually means the work is inspected and tested, and opened up if needed. Solicitors may also ask for indemnity insurance when you sell.
How can I check if an electrician is Part P registered?
Search the Electrical Competent Person register by name or postcode, or ask the electrician which scheme they belong to and check it on that scheme's website.
