From 1 January 2005 the design, installation, inspection and testing of electrical installations will be controlled under the Building Regulations.

The new Part P will apply mainly to dwelling houses and flats including gardens and outbuildings such as sheds, detached garages and greenhouses.

Small jobs such as provision of a socket-outlet or a light switch on an existing circuit will not need to be notified to Building Control (although there will be some exceptions for high risk areas such as kitchens and bathrooms). 

All work that involves adding a new circuit to a dwelling, or electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms or in 'special locations' will need to be either notified to Building Control with a building regulation application, or carried out by a competent person who is registered with a Part P Self-Certification Scheme.

For more information contact the Building Control Department at you local council or download the government leaflets.

Consumer Booklet

Part P of the Building Regulations explained

Approved Document P