What electrical work is notifiable under Part P?

In England, notifiable work is: installing a new circuit, replacing a consumer unit, and any addition or alteration to existing circuits in a special location — principally a room containing a bath or shower. Replacing accessories like sockets and switches, and like-for-like repairs on an existing circuit, are not notifiable. Wales has a wider list that also includes work in kitchens and outdoors.

What happens if work was done without being notified?

It usually surfaces at sale, as a conveyancing enquiry with no certificate to answer it. The route back is a regularisation application to the local Building Control body, which will want the work inspected and tested and will charge a fee — typically more than notifying properly would have cost. An electrician can issue an EICR describing the condition, but that is not the same document as a Building Regulations compliance certificate.

Part P: which electrical work is notifiable

Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical safety in dwellings. The practical question it decides is narrow but expensive to get wrong: does this job have to be told to Building Control, and who does the telling?

Notifiable in England

Installing a new circuit — an EV charger, an electric shower, a garden or outbuilding supply.
Replacing a consumer unit — always notifiable.
Additions or alterations in a special location — principally a room containing a bath or shower.

Not notifiable

Replacing sockets, switches and light fittings like-for-like on an existing circuit.
Repairs to an existing circuit that do not extend it.
Adding a socket or lighting point to an existing circuit outside a special location.

Wales is not the same. The Welsh list is wider and still includes work in kitchens and outdoors, which England removed in 2013. If you are reading advice that lists kitchens as notifiable, check which country it was written for before you act on it — this is the single most common inaccuracy in UK Part P guidance online.

Who notifies, and why it matters to you

There are two routes. A registered electrician on a competent person scheme self-certifies and notifies Building Control on your behalf; the compliance certificate follows from the scheme provider. An unregistered electrician cannot — so you must notify Building Control yourself before the work starts and pay their fee.

Check registration on the Registered Competent Person Electrical register, which covers the schemes in one search. Being a good electrician and being registered are different things, and only one of them produces the certificate.

Work that was never notified

It rarely causes a problem until you sell, at which point it is a conveyancing enquiry you cannot answer. The route back is a regularisation application to the local Building Control body: they inspect, require testing, and charge a fee that typically exceeds what notifying properly would have cost. An EICR is useful evidence of condition but it is not a Building Regulations compliance certificate, and a buyer's solicitor will know the difference.

Where this bites in practice

Consumer unit replacement — always notifiable; the most common missing certificate.
EV charger installation — a new circuit, so notifiable, plus a separate DNO notification.
Rewiring — notifiable throughout, and includes a new board.
Bathroom lighting — a special location, so stricter than the same job elsewhere.

Not sure whether your job is notifiable?

Describe what you are planning and registered electricians covering CM17–CM20 will tell you whether it needs notifying — and quote for it.

What we will not do: we do not sell your details on, we do not add you to a marketing list, and we do not require a phone number. If you would rather not be called, leave the phone out — email is enough.