Part P building regulations set electrical safety rules for homes in England. Work such as a full rewire, a new circuit or a consumer unit replacement must be notified to Building Control or carried out by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme. Watsons Electrical Hugglescote Ltd can explain how your project will be handled.
At a glance
- Applies to
- Homes in England. Wales and Scotland have their own rules
- Notifiable
- New circuits, consumer unit replacements and some work in bathrooms
- Not usually notifiable
- Like-for-like replacement, repairs and adding sockets to an existing circuit outside special locations
- How to comply
- Use a registered competent person, or notify Building Control before work starts
- Local authority
- North West Leicestershire District Council covers Hugglescote
What is Part P of the Building Regulations?
Part P is the part of the Building Regulations for England that sets electrical safety requirements for homes. It covers the electrics inside dwellings and in attached or related buildings such as garages, sheds and gardens. Its aim is to make sure new electrical work is designed, installed, inspected and tested so that it is safe.
Which electrical work is notifiable under Part P?
Notifiable work must be notified to Building Control or carried out by a registered electrician. Minor work generally is not. The table shows the usual dividing line.
| Notifiable | Not usually notifiable |
|---|---|
| Adding a new circuit, for example for a cooker, shower or EV charger | Replacing sockets, switches and light fittings like for like |
| Replacing a consumer unit (fuse board) | Repairs and maintenance |
| A full rewire, or a part rewire that adds circuits | Replacing a damaged cable on a single circuit |
| Adding to or altering circuits in special locations such as bathrooms | Adding a socket or light to an existing circuit outside special locations |
What is a competent person scheme?
A competent person scheme is a government-approved register of electricians who are assessed to carry out notifiable work and certify it themselves. An electrician registered with one can complete the work without you contacting Building Control, then notify the work through the scheme. Ask which scheme your electrician belongs to and check their name on that scheme's online register.
How do I notify Building Control?
If your electrician is not registered, the work must be notified to the local authority before it starts. The steps are:
- Ask first. Check whether your electrician is registered with a competent person scheme.
- Notify the council. If not, submit a building notice or application to Building Control before work begins. In Hugglescote the local authority is North West Leicestershire District Council.
- Arrange inspection. Building Control may inspect and test the work, which can add cost.
- Keep the certificates. You should receive a completion or compliance certificate and an Electrical Installation Certificate.
What happens if electrical work is not notified?
Building Control can ask for the work to be inspected and tested, and in some cases altered. You may also be asked for the certificates when you sell the property, and missing paperwork can delay the sale. Keep every certificate you are given.
Frequently asked questions
Does replacing a socket need Part P?
No. Replacing a socket or switch like for like is not notifiable. Adding a new circuit, or altering circuits in a bathroom, is notifiable.
Do I need Part P for a new consumer unit?
Yes. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work in England, so it must be done by a registered electrician or notified to Building Control.
Is Part P the same in Wales and Scotland?
No. Part P applies in England. Wales has its own version of Approved Document P, and Scotland uses separate building standards.
How do I check an electrician is registered?
Ask which competent person scheme they belong to and check their name on that scheme's online register. Ask for the certificates once the work is finished.
Does Part P apply to garage and garden electrics?
Yes. New circuits to garages, sheds and gardens are notifiable work, as they are covered by the same rules as the electrics inside the home.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: by Watsons Electrical Hugglescote Ltd. Questions about your own property? Call 07359 854049.