Part P Explained — The Building Regulations That Cover Your Home's Electrics
Part P is the law that governs electrical work in homes in England and Wales — and misunderstanding it is expensive. Here's what it actually says.
What Part P actually is
Part P is the section of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) that applies to electrical installations in dwellings. Its core requirement is one sentence: electrical work must be designed and installed so it protects people from fire and electric shock. In practice, compliance means the work meets BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations) — and that certain higher-risk work is formally notified to Building Control.
Part P applies to houses, flats, and their gardens and outbuildings — including sheds, garages and garden offices fed from the house supply. It has applied since 2005, so it covers a huge share of the work done in any home you buy today.
Which work is notifiable
Not all electrical work must be notified — the list was slimmed down in 2013. Today, three categories of domestic work in England are notifiable:
- Installing a new circuit — of any kind, anywhere in the property (this includes EV chargers, hot tubs, garden offices and electric showers)
- Replacing a consumer unit (fuse board)
- Any addition or alteration to existing circuits within a bathroom or shower room's zones
The two legal routes to compliance
For notifiable work you have exactly two options. Route one: use an electrician registered with a Competent Person Scheme (NAPIT, NICEIC and others) — they self-certify the work, notify Building Control automatically, and you receive a compliance certificate, typically at no extra process cost.
Route two: notify Building Control yourself before the work starts, pay their fee (commonly £250–£500), and have them inspect and sign off the work — either directly or via a registered third-party certifier. This route is slower and usually more expensive, which is why the overwhelming majority of notifiable domestic work goes through registered electricians.
What is not a legal route: having the work done unregistered and unnotified. That's a breach of the Building Regulations — the local authority can require the work to be opened up, corrected or removed, and can prosecute.
Why it bites when you sell
The most common way Part P problems surface isn't enforcement — it's conveyancing. Buyers' solicitors routinely ask for Building Regulations compliance certificates for electrical work. No certificate means renegotiation, indemnity insurance demands, retrospective 'regularisation' applications, or a sale falling through — all far more expensive than doing it properly the first time.
If you've had work done and never received a certificate, an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is the practical first step — it establishes whether the installation is actually safe, which is what buyers and insurers ultimately care about. We carry out EICRs and all notifiable work, fully self-certified, across London and Kent — call 07535 810812.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Part P mean I can't do any DIY electrical work?
No — non-notifiable work like replacing sockets, switches or light fittings on existing circuits (outside bathroom zones) is legal to DIY, though it must still be done safely to BS 7671 standards. Notifiable work can also legally be DIYed, but only if you notify Building Control first and pay for inspection — which usually costs more than hiring a registered electrician.
Is Part P the same in Scotland?
No. Part P applies to England (and in modified form to Wales). Scotland regulates electrical work through its own Building Standards system, which works differently. This guide covers England and Wales.
I've lost my Part P certificate — can I get a copy?
Yes. The scheme that registered the work (e.g. NAPIT or NICEIC) keeps records and can reissue compliance certificates, usually for a small fee. Your local authority also holds a record of notifications made against your address.
Talk to a NAPIT-Registered Electrician
Call 07535 810812 or WhatsApp us — free quotes, honest advice, and certified work across London & Kent.