EICR Remedial Work — Building Control Notifiable Rules

Part P of the Building Regulations 2010 makes most domestic electrical work in England subject to Building Control oversight. The aim: ensure electrical work meets BS 7671 and is verified by competent persons.

Part P doesn't cover all electrical work — only 'notifiable' work. Like-for-like replacement of accessories (sockets, switches, light fittings) on existing circuits is not notifiable.

Notifiable work includes: new circuits, replacement consumer units, changes to circuits in special locations (bathrooms, swimming pools), and adding circuits to existing installations.

Notifiable work must either be notified to Building Control before start, or self-certified by a member of a Competent Person Scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, Stroma, etc.).

Most C2 remedials — replacing damaged sockets, retorquing terminations, adding earth wires — are NOT notifiable. They're maintenance of existing circuits.

Some C2 remedials ARE notifiable: replacing the consumer unit (any C2 finding that requires full replacement), adding RCD protection where none existed (sometimes requires new circuit), adding a new circuit to address an FI.

Bathroom-circuit remedials are special. Any work in zones 0/1/2 is notifiable because special location. Adding an RCD to a bathroom shaver socket — notifiable. Replacing a like-for-like shaver socket — not notifiable.

NICEIC, NAPIT, Stroma and ELECSA contractors can self-certify notifiable work. They submit the EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) to the scheme; scheme notifies Building Control on your behalf.

You receive a Building Control compliance certificate by post 6-8 weeks after the work. File it with property documents.

Cost is included in the contractor's quote — no separate Building Control fee for scheme-certified work.

If your contractor is not in a scheme, they must notify Building Control before starting the work. Application fee £200-500 depending on council.

The installation is technically non-compliant under Part P. The council can issue an enforcement notice requiring removal or retrospective inspection.

Retrospective inspection by a Registered Competent Person costs £300-700 plus £200-500 council fee.

Selling a property with unnotified post-2005 electrical work is a real problem — solicitors flag the missing Part P certificate during conveyancing. Buyers may pull out or negotiate down.

Landlords renewing selective licensing can be denied if Part P-notifiable work is undocumented. Lambeth, Newham, Croydon all check explicitly.

Step 1: contractor is NICEIC or NAPIT registered — confirm before booking.

Step 2: contractor confirms in writing which remedials are notifiable.

Step 3: certificates issued — EIC for new work, MWC for minor alterations, EICR for any condition re-assessment.

Step 4: building Control compliance certificate arrives by post within 8 weeks for notifiable work. Chase if missing.

Step 5: file everything — EIC, MWC, Building Control cert, copy of the remediated EICR, photos of finished work. Property file kept for the duration of ownership.