Is changing a light fitting notifiable under Part P?

No — like-for-like replacements and most additions to existing circuits (outside bathroom zones) aren't notifiable. New circuits, consumer unit changes and work in special locations are.

Does Part P apply in Scotland?

No — Part P covers England and Wales. Scotland regulates electrical work through its own Building Standards system, and Northern Ireland differs again.

Can a homeowner do their own electrical work?

Legally yes for non-notifiable work, and even notifiable work if building control is notified and inspects. In practice, DIY on notifiable work usually costs more in fees and inspection than hiring a registered electrician.

TradePA › Glossary › Part P

The trades glossary · plain English · updated 10 July 2026

What is Part P?

The short version: Part P is the part of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) covering electrical safety in homes. Certain jobs are notifiable — a new circuit, a consumer unit change, work in bathrooms' zones — and must either be notified to building control or done by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT and similar).

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The detail

Notifiable vs non-notifiable

Notifiable: installing a new circuit, replacing a consumer unit, and additions or alterations in special locations (the zones around baths and showers). Most like-for-like work — swapping sockets, switches, light fittings, adding a socket to an existing circuit outside a special location — is not notifiable. Scotland and Northern Ireland run different systems.

The competent person route

A scheme-registered electrician self-certifies notifiable work: they do the job, the scheme notifies building control, and the customer gets a compliance certificate in the post. No scheme registration means notifying building control before starting and paying their fees — which is why registration pays for itself quickly for anyone doing regular domestic work.

Why customers should care

Un-notified notifiable work surfaces at the worst moment: a house sale. Solicitors ask for the certificates; missing paperwork means indemnity insurance, retro-inspection or renegotiation. The paperwork is part of the job — the certificate is what the customer is buying.

Where TradePA fits

And the paperwork around it?

For the electrician: TradePA issues your EIC, EICR and Minor Works certificates from the job itself, and keeps the money side moving — quote said from the van, invoice with a card link the moment you're done, and every slow payer queued up with the reminder ready to go. The compliance paperwork and the getting-paid paperwork, both off your evening.

Fair questions.

Is changing a light fitting notifiable under Part P?: No — like-for-like replacements and most additions to existing circuits (outside bathroom zones) aren't notifiable. New circuits, consumer unit changes and work in special locations are.
Does Part P apply in Scotland?: No — Part P covers England and Wales. Scotland regulates electrical work through its own Building Standards system, and Northern Ireland differs again.
Can a homeowner do their own electrical work?: Legally yes for non-notifiable work, and even notifiable work if building control is notified and inspects. In practice, DIY on notifiable work usually costs more in fees and inspection than hiring a registered electrician.

Related terms: EICR · Minor Works Certificate · CIS. General information for UK trades, checked July 2026 — not legal, tax or compliance advice.

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