What Is It?
Part P is the section of the Building Regulations for England and Wales that deals with electrical safety in domestic properties. Introduced in 2005, it requires that electrical work in dwellings is designed, installed, inspected, and tested so that it is safe and does not present a risk of fire or electric shock. Certain types of electrical work are classified as 'notifiable' and must be reported to the local Building Control body, either directly or through an electrician registered with a competent person scheme.
Who Needs It?
Part P applies to anyone carrying out electrical installation work in a domestic dwelling in England and Wales, including homeowners, landlords, electricians, and builders. It covers houses, flats, maisonettes, and shared areas of residential buildings. While it primarily affects the person carrying out the work, property owners have a responsibility to ensure any electrical work done on their property complies with Part P. DIY electrical work is not prohibited but is subject to the same regulations — DIYers must either use a registered electrician to certify their work or notify Building Control directly.
When Is It Required?
Part P applies whenever electrical installation work is carried out in a dwelling. Notifiable work that must be reported to Building Control includes: installation of a new circuit, replacement of a consumer unit (fuse box), any electrical work in a bathroom or shower room within specified zones, any electrical work in a kitchen within a defined area, additions or alterations to circuits in special installations or locations (swimming pools, saunas, garden buildings), and installation of outdoor electrical equipment such as lighting, sockets, and EV chargers. Non-notifiable work includes like-for-like replacements of accessories (sockets, switches, light fittings) and adding sockets or spurs to existing circuits outside of special locations.
What Does It Cover?
- All new electrical circuit installations in domestic properties
- Consumer unit (fuse box) replacements, which became notifiable in 2016
- Electrical work in bathrooms and shower rooms, including zones 0, 1, and 2
- Electrical work in kitchens within 2 metres of a sink
- Outdoor electrical installations including garden lighting, sockets, and EV charger connections
- Electrical installations in special locations such as swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas
- Additions or alterations to circuits in locations that require additional protection
- Requirement for appropriate RCD protection, circuit design, and compliance with BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations)
How Long Is It Valid?
Part P compliance is not time-limited — once the work has been properly certified and a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate issued, it remains valid as a permanent record. However, the underlying electrical installation must still be maintained and periodically inspected via EICRs. If the wiring regulations change (as they do with each edition of BS 7671), existing compliant installations are not retrospectively required to be upgraded unless new work is carried out.
How Much Does It Cost?
£200–£400
If your electrician is registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA), Part P notification is included in their fee at no extra cost. If not, you must notify Building Control directly, which typically costs £200-£400 for a Building Control inspection. Using a registered electrician is significantly cheaper and faster.
What Happens If You Don't Comply?
Failure to comply with Part P is a breach of Building Regulations. Local authorities can issue enforcement notices requiring remedial work or, in serious cases, require the work to be removed. When selling a property, non-compliance can delay or prevent the sale as conveyancing solicitors check for Building Regulations certificates. Retrospective regularisation through Building Control is possible but costs £200-£500+ and requires the work to be inspected, which may mean opening up walls and floors.
How to Get One
For the simplest route, hire an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or equivalent). They can self-certify their work and notify Building Control on your behalf at no additional cost.
Discuss the scope of work with your electrician to determine whether it is notifiable under Part P. They should advise you on this before starting.
The electrician carries out the work in compliance with BS 7671 and issues the appropriate certificate (EIC for new installations, Minor Works Certificate for additions to existing circuits).
For competent person scheme members, notification to Building Control happens automatically. You will receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate by post, usually within 2-4 weeks of the work being completed.
If the electrician is not registered with a competent person scheme, you must notify Building Control before work begins. A Building Control officer will inspect the work, which adds cost and time.
Retain all certificates with your property documents — you will need them when selling the property.
