In 2005, the government introduced Part P of the Building Regulations, which brought domestic electrical installation work under the same regulatory framework as other building work, such as extensions and structural alterations. The rules have been updated since, but the core principle remains the same: certain types of electrical work in the home must meet a legal standard, and there must be a documented record that it has done so.
Here is what you need to know as a homeowner, landlord, or tenant commissioning electrical work.
What Is Notifiable Electrical Work?
Not all electrical work is notifiable. Replacing a like-for-like fitting — swapping a socket faceplate, changing a light fitting, or replacing a faulty switch — generally does not require notification. However, the following types of work are notifiable under Part P:
- Installing a new circuit in a property
- Replacing a consumer unit (fuse board)
- Any electrical work in a kitchen or bathroom
- Any electrical work in a garden or outbuilding
- Installing an electric vehicle charging point
- Adding a circuit for a new shower or cooker
- Electrical work associated with a loft conversion or extension
The underlying principle is that these are the types of work where a fault or substandard installation is most likely to pose a risk of fire or electric shock — either because of the environment (kitchens and bathrooms involve water and high-current appliances) or because the scale of the work is significant enough that errors in design or execution could have serious consequences.
Two Ways to Comply
There are two ways to ensure notifiable electrical work is legally compliant:
Option 1: Use a registered competent person. Electricians registered with a scheme such as NICEIC are authorised to self-certify their own work. This means they carry out the installation, test it, and issue the relevant certificate — an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) — without requiring a separate inspection by the local authority. This is the most straightforward route for most homeowners.
Option 2: Notify the local authority. If you use an unregistered electrician, the work must be submitted to the local authority building control department before it begins. An inspector will then need to verify the completed work. This process involves a fee and can cause delays, particularly if the work needs to be redone to meet the required standard.
Why It Matters
The certificate issued on completion of notifiable electrical work is a legal document. It confirms that the installation has been carried out to the required standard and tested accordingly. Without it:
- You may face difficulties when selling your property — solicitors routinely request evidence of certification for any electrical work carried out since 2005
- Your home insurance may be affected if a claim arises from an uncertificated installation
- As a landlord, uncertificated work in a rental property can complicate your compliance position
- You have no independent verification that the work is safe
It is also worth noting that certificates cannot be retrospectively issued by a different electrician for work they did not carry out. If work was done without certification, the options are limited — typically either a full inspection and re-test, or redoing the work.
How to Check If an Electrician Is Registered
NICEIC maintains a public register of approved contractors at niceic.com. You can search by postcode to find registered electricians in your area, and verify that a contractor who claims to be registered actually is. Always ask to see the certificate on completion of notifiable work — a reputable electrician will provide it as a matter of course.
ATO Solutions — NICEIC Registered
ATO Solutions is registered with NICEIC. All notifiable electrical work we carry out is self-certified and fully documented. We issue the relevant certificate by email on completion of every job, to the property owner, landlord, or tenant as appropriate.
Need Electrical Work Carried Out?
Call us to discuss your project — we handle all certification as part of the job.
0800 050 2424
