No Paperwork For New Consumer Unit Installation

[Midwest]

That is an issue, constantly complained about/discussed on this forum. Not helped by DIY stores selling CU's etc to the masses. Part P was an attempt to try and get all electrical installations, in domestic properties to comply with relevant standards, but it hasn't worked. Seems people aren't prepared to mess around with gas, but are prepared to dabble in electrics.

 

[andyb]

I know ignorance is considered no defence, but after reading the recent comments; what chance do I as a non builder, non electrician etc. have in knowing about this requirement? I knew nothing at all about LBC/LABC until this incident.
Even us 'no-trade' people knew about CORGI (maybe that's why they changed it!) so it is possible to get the message out there to the masses when necessary.

Which is why the installer 'should' be responsible for compliance with part p.
I don't see how the home owner could possible be expected to know the ins and outs of the electrical trade. If you take on an electrician to do the work then you have every right to expect he or she to undertake the work to a good standard and comply with any regulations relevant to the work. This is what you pay for.

 

[Midwest]

My LBC expects homeowners to use installers who are registered;

Part P of the Building Regulations requires that all notifiable domestic electrical installations are fitted safely.You are strongly advised to use contractors registered under a Part P Scheme.

• If these works are carried out by an Approved Installer under the Government’s Competent Persons Scheme, an application under the Regulations is not required.

• Where an approved installer is not used for the electrical installation (which may form part of other works to the property eg an extension) then evidence that safety standards have been achieved will be required before a Completion Certificate can be issued. This will also apply to DIY installations. The Local Authority will arrange for inspection and testing of the installation and a charge of £400 +VAT will be made to cover the costs.

I know that it doesn't necessarily follow, that being registered makes you competent. Any-hows, I've emailed my LBC to see who is responsible to notify until clause 3) of previously mentioned Part P.

 

[Midwest]

Whilst we wait with bated breath, found this on a pdf from ECA 'Part P (2013) Explained';

People who are responsible for or are ordering the building work (for example, the agent, designer, builder)
must ensure that the work complies with all of the applicable requirements of the Building Regulations. The
building owner may also be responsible for ensuring that work complies with the Building Regulations. If
building work does not comply, the building owner may be served with an enforcement notice.

:yawn:

 

[sjhall]

You haven't let Sergio play around with the gas while they were at it have you? :tounge_smile:Electrician Training Helps Husband & Wife to Grow Their Business - Electrical Courses, Gas Training Courses

 

[Midwest]

My LBC expects homeowners to use installers who are registered;

Part P of the Building Regulations requires that all notifiable domestic electrical installations are fitted safely.You are strongly advised to use contractors registered under a Part P Scheme.

• If these works are carried out by an Approved Installer under the Government’s Competent Persons Scheme, an application under the Regulations is not required.

• Where an approved installer is not used for the electrical installation (which may form part of other works to the property eg an extension) then evidence that safety standards have been achieved will be required before a Completion Certificate can be issued. This will also apply to DIY installations. The Local Authority will arrange for inspection and testing of the installation and a charge of £400 +VAT will be made to cover the costs.

I know that it doesn't necessarily follow, that being registered makes you competent. Any-hows, I've emailed my LBC to see who is responsible to notify until clause 3) of previously mentioned Part P.

Received a reply back from my LBC on the matter, via email;

'The person carrying out the work should notify. This could be the contractor or the owner. If it is not done ultimately the owner will left with the issue. It is likely to affect their insurance and any sale of their house'.

So either or then. :crazy:

 

[Midwest]

Received a reply back from my LBC on the matter, via email;

'The person carrying out the work should notify. This could be the contractor or the owner. If it is not done ultimately the owner will left with the issue. It is likely to affect their insurance and any sale of their house'.

So either or then. :crazy:

Oooopps, just had a reply from another Building Inspector in the same office;

'Thank you for your enquiry. Basically, it is the owner’s responsibility to notify building control when they have relevant work carried out'.

 

[andyb]

Received a reply back from my LBC on the matter, via email;

'The person carrying out the work should notify. This could be the contractor or the owner. If it is not done ultimately the owner will left with the issue. It is likely to affect their insurance and any sale of their house'.

So either or then. :crazy:

Oooopps, just had a reply from another Building Inspector in the same office;

'Thank you for your enquiry. Basically, it is the owner’s responsibility to notify building control when they have relevant work carried out'.

Confusion all round,

Whether it's building control telling you or the Eca, Nic or whoever you put your faith in. It's all just a persons interpretation of part p reg's.
That says clearly that the installer must notify. So if your local building control tell you that it's the owners responsibility and you don't notify and something goes wrong, it's the building regs that will be used against you and ''I was told by building control'' will be no defence. In my opinion.

 

[Midwest]

Yep is confusing. But anything built or installed without planning permission/building regs, its the owner who faces prosecution for non compliance.

 

[andyb]

Yep is confusing. But anything built or installed without planning permission/building regs, its the owner who faces prosecution for non compliance.

I agree with you on that, the owner is always ultimately responsible for the property and any work complying with building regs.

But if you do some electrical work that falls under part p as notifiable, then the installer should notify it.

 

[baldsparkies]

She's paid already.

Did they ask for cash sterling, or euros ?? :rolleyes2::cowboy:

 

[Midwest]

But if you do some electrical work that falls under part p as notifiable, then the installer should notify it.

I would and most others on this forum would, but where does it say the 'Installer' is responsible for notifying? If you can pinpoint that it would assist the OP.

 

[HandySparks]

I would and most others on this forum would, but where does it say the 'Installer' is responsible for notifying? If you can pinpoint that it would assist the OP.

Approved Document P, 2013 Edition, page 10, para 3.8

If I knew how to copy and paste off the pdf, I'd include the text.

 

[happysteve]

Approved Document P, 2013 Edition, page 10, para 3.8

If I knew how to copy and paste off the pdf, I'd include the text.

Allow me:

Certification by a building control body

1. 3.8 If an installer is not a registered competent person and has not appointed a registered third-party certifier, then before work begins the installer must notify a building control body.

 

[R G]

Buyer beware,
I had a job earlier in the year where an old customer of mine has moved house August last year and noticed in January this year that the wiring in his loft consisted mainly of tape joints and exposed conductors etc
I got a phone call from him and I paid a visit and the wiring was in an appalling state , I recommended an EICR to find what could be done with it , I called back a week later and found new cable under the floorboards etc and asked the customer wether he had any paperwork from the purchase of the house, he found a questionnaire the seller had filled out and the question of Electrical works carried out since 2005 was ticked and that an indemnity was taken out by the sellers solicitor on order for the sale to proceed , I got the customer to ring his solicitor and the secretary advised that I should stop what I was doing and the solicitor would be in touch .
I got a phone call from the customer 4 days later stating that his solicitor said he was now responsible for the installation and there would be no recompense from the seller in any way and that now he was the owner of the house he was now responsible to bring it up to standard and LABC can enforce it too , I returned and most of the house had to be rewired , what surprised me was that this indemnity wasn't worth the paper it was written on ...