Whose Responsibility is it?
Since 2005, all electrical work in dwellings in England and Wales, whether carried out professionally or as DIY, must meet the requirements of Part P of the Building Regulations.
By law, the homeowner or landlord must be able to prove that all electrical installation work on their property meets the requirements of Part P, or they will be committing a criminal offence.
Local Authorities have the power to make homeowners or landlords remove or alter any work that does not meet the requirements of the Building Regulations.
It is strongly recommended that you employ an electrical installer who is registered with one of the Government-approved Competent Person Scheme Operators. This will ensure that:
They work to the British Standard for electrical safety (BS 7671)
They meet strict entry requirements, which take account of qualifications, skills, knowledge, experience and insurance policies
Their work is regularly assessed by a Government-approved Scheme Operator to ensure their ongoing competence and that it meets the correct standards
They will give you a BS7671 certificate to confirm that their work has been designed, inspected and tested in line with the BS7671 electrical safety standard. If the work is notifiable, they will also arrange a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate to confirm compliance with Building Regulations, which should be issued to you by their Scheme Operator within 30 days of the completion of the installation.
They are permitted to self-certify their work against the Building Regulations, saving you the need to notify the work with your Local Authority Building Control department
They have valid insurance policies in place, including Public Liability Insurance
All Government-approved scheme operators have a complaints procedure, which means they will investigate complaints about registered electricians who have not complied with technical standards
They have been authorised by Government to self-certify that their work is compliant with Building Regulations. Home (electricalcompetentperson.co.uk)
Competent person schemes
Competent person schemes are a way for tradespeople to prove their ability to carry out certain work to required standards. Schemes exist installers of boilers, electrical work and windows.
A tradesperson who’s registered with a scheme can self-certify that their work complies with buildings standards and can deal with building control issues.
If needed, they’ll tell your local authority about work on your behalf. They’ll also give you a certificate within 8 weeks of completion which can be used as evidence of compliance - it will also show up in solicitors’ searches if you come to sell your home. To find a registered electrician or to check whether an electrician you are planning on using is registered as a competent person, visit this website https://electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/ or call PWCAC for help if you don’t use the internet.
Other precautions
Other steps such as getting a written quote, checking insurance is in place and having a written contract, should help you save time, money and stress down the line.
PWCAC is OPEN for face-to-face advice (appointments and drop-ins) Monday to Friday, 9:30 – 1:30. If you need advice about welfare benefits, housing and homelessness, debt, relationship breakdown, consumer issues or anything else, get in touch with us:
info@pwadvice.org | 01892 838619
94 Commercial Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6DP
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