Quick Answer
Part P is the section of the UK Building Regulations that covers electrical safety in dwellings. Most significant electrical work — new circuits, consumer unit replacements, work in bathrooms and kitchens — must be carried out by a registered electrician who can self-certify the work, or notified to your local authority building control.
Part P of the Building Regulations has applied to domestic electrical work in England and Wales since 2005. It exists because unsafe DIY electrical work is a significant cause of house fires and electrocution deaths every year. Yet many homeowners in 2026 are still unaware of what it covers, what work is notifiable, and what happens if they skip the process. This guide explains everything you need to know.
In this guide
What Part P Is
Part P is Schedule 1, Part P of the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended). It applies in England and states that reasonable provision must be made in the design, installation, inspection, and testing of electrical installations to protect persons from fire or injury. Wales has equivalent provisions under Welsh Building Regulations. Scotland and Northern Ireland operate under separate but similar regimes.
The regulation does not cover commercial properties, only dwellings — houses, flats, and their outbuildings and gardens. It sets out which work is "notifiable" (must be formally approved) and which is low-risk enough to be done without notification.
What Work Requires Notification Under Part P
The following types of electrical work are notifiable and must be carried out by a registered electrician or notified to your local authority building control (LABC) before work starts:
| Type of Work | Notifiable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New circuit installation | Yes | e.g. cooker circuit, EV charger, outbuilding supply |
| Consumer unit replacement | Yes | Must be carried out by registered electrician |
| Any work in a bathroom or shower room | Yes | Even adding a spur socket near a bathroom |
| Any work in a kitchen near a sink | Yes | Within the special location zones |
| Garden electrical work | Yes | New circuits to outbuildings or outdoor sockets |
| Adding a socket to an existing circuit | No | Not notifiable unless in special location |
| Like-for-like replacement (same position) | No | Socket, switch, or fitting in same location |
What Is Exempt from Part P Notification
Not all electrical work is notifiable. Low-risk work that does not involve new circuits or special locations is generally exempt. This includes:
- Replacing a like-for-like socket, switch, or light fitting in the same position
- Adding a spur socket from an existing circuit (outside special locations)
- Replacing a damaged cable over a short section
- Installing extra light fittings on an existing circuit (outside bathrooms)
However, even "exempt" work must still meet the technical requirements of BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations). Exempt simply means you do not need to formally notify building control — it does not mean you can do dangerous work.
Competent Person Schemes
Most registered electricians in the UK are members of a Competent Person Scheme (CPS). These are government-approved schemes that allow registered tradespeople to self-certify their own work as compliant with Building Regulations, bypassing the need for you to involve your local authority building control. The main schemes for electricians are:
- NICEIC — The most widely recognised scheme for electrical contractors
- NAPIT — National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers
- SELECT — The Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland
- ELECSA — Part of the NAPIT Group
When you hire an electrician through one of these schemes, they will issue you with a completion certificate after the work. This is your proof that the installation complies with Building Regulations. Always ask to see the certificate — and check the tradesperson is genuinely registered, not just claiming to be. Our guide on how to check if a tradesperson is qualified explains how to verify this for free.
The Risks of Ignoring Part P
If you carry out notifiable electrical work without either using a registered electrician or notifying your LABC, you are in breach of the Building Regulations. The practical consequences are significant:
- Insurance may be invalidated — If a fire or injury occurs due to unregistered electrical work, your home insurer can refuse to pay out.
- Problems selling your home — Solicitors and buyers will ask for electrical certificates. Missing certificates delay or kill sales. See our guide: do you need an electrical certificate when selling your house?
- Retrospective approval is expensive — Getting non-compliant work inspected and certified retrospectively can cost as much as the original job — or result in the work being condemned and having to be redone.
- Safety risk — The regulation exists because amateur wiring kills people. Loose connections, missing earth conductors, and undersized cables cause fires and electrocutions.
Getting a Part P Certificate
When a registered electrician completes notifiable work, they must issue either a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (for small additions) or an Electrical Installation Certificate (for new circuits and larger installations). These certificates should be kept with your property documents permanently. They are not optional paperwork — they are legal evidence of compliance.
If you have lost a certificate for old work, or had work done by an unregistered person, you will need to arrange an EICR to assess the current condition of the installation. Find out more in our guide: what is an EICR and when do you need one?
For any notifiable work, always use a registered, qualified electrician. Finding a trustworthy electrician is easier when you know what to look for — we cover the full process in our dedicated guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Part P apply in Scotland?+
Scotland has its own Building Standards system. While similar safety principles apply, Part P specifically covers England only. Wales has equivalent provisions under its own Building Regulations. If you are in Scotland, check Scottish Building Standards guidance or speak to a SELECT-registered electrician.
Can I notify building control myself and do the work myself?+
Yes — in theory, a homeowner can notify their LABC before starting notifiable work, carry out the work, and have it inspected. However, the inspector will test the installation against BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations). If it fails, you must redo it. This route is rarely worth it compared to simply hiring a registered electrician.
How much does a Part P completion certificate cost?+
A registered electrician includes the certificate as part of their job cost. There is no separate charge for the certificate itself — it is part of what you are paying for when you hire a properly registered contractor.
What is the difference between a Part P certificate and an EICR?+
A Part P certificate (formally, an Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Works Certificate) is issued for new work to confirm it was done correctly. An EICR is an inspection of the existing installation — it assesses whether old wiring is still safe, regardless of when it was installed or by whom.
I had a socket added by a handyman with no certificate. What should I do?+
First, do not panic — a single additional socket on an existing circuit is often not notifiable (unless in a bathroom or kitchen). However, if you are unsure whether the work was done safely, have a registered electrician inspect it. If the work was notifiable, you may need a retrospective EICR and potentially an LABC assessment.
Does Part P cover garden lighting or a garden socket?+
Yes. Any new circuit supplying outbuildings, garden sockets, or outdoor lighting is notifiable work under Part P. A registered electrician must carry it out and certify it. Our guide to adding outdoor sockets covers the specifics.
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