About PART P
Part P refers to the rules on electrical safety in the Building Regulations. The Government introduced them for England and Wales in 2005. Most fixed electrical work must meet the Building Regulations by law. It states that anyone carrying out electrical installation work in a home must make sure that the work will protect people from fires and electric shocks.Part P applies to any changes made to existing installations, including any parts that need rewiring. In April 2013 the Government reduced the amount of work that is notifiable, which changed some rules for kitchens and outdoors.
Electricians working in England and Wales must follow Part P of the Building Regulations, whereas in Scotland it is the Building Standards system. Northern Ireland does not currently have an equivalent law.
Under Part P, all electrical work in a home, garden, conservatory or outbuilding must meet the Building Regulations. Apart from some minor work, anyone who carries out any electrical work must report it to the local authority building control. Alternatively an electrician registered with a competent person scheme must do the work. The benefits of using a registered electrician are that the customer will not have to pay any building control charges. They can self-certify that the work meets Building Regulations, and the electrician will give them a certificate to prove this.
All homeowners and landlords are responsible by law for ensuring that the electrical work in their property meets Part P. The local authority could remove the work that does not adhere to the Building Regulations. The Government recommends that consumers use a registered electrician to make sure that the work is safe and done well.
