Part 'P' notification question?

[Bob Geldoff1234]

If notification under Part 'P' is a legal requirement for a consumer unit change, then if a person changed the unit,issued a non scheme EIC and didn't notify Building control then would the installation be deemed illegal?

I thought Part 'P' was to make sure that the installation was done to a high standard and by someone who is qualified to do the job.
Legally,where does someone stand who's had the job done but no Part 'P' when trying to then sell their house?

 

[Wilko]

The insurance through a solicitor to cover no electrical certificates costs less money than an EICR (properly done of course)!

Yes, but the devil in the detail here is this policy won’t get the house rebuilt after an electrical fire. The policy would pay for remedial work should that be required by Buildings. Basically the insurance folks are betting that the homeowner is never asked to get the work regularised so it remains unapproved building works forever. That’s why it’s so cheap ...

And it encourages the homeowner to feel ok about this. But in my view, the fact that work is not registered must be an indicator that it may not have been done properly by a competent person, so it may not be safe.

 

[Rpa07]

Houses used to be ‘sold as seen’ - whether the hoops and hurdles that need to be fulfilled are good or bad is subjective BUT you used to be able to get a house for £30k whereas now that same house is £300k hence it needs to be up to spec OR sold as seen and priced to sell.

Yes, but the devil in the detail here is this policy won’t get the house rebuilt after an electrical fire. The policy would pay for remedial work should that be required by Buildings. Basically the insurance folks are betting that the homeowner is never asked to get the work regularised so it remains unapproved building works forever. That’s why it’s so cheap ...

And it encourages the homeowner to feel ok about this. But in my view, the fact that work is not registered must be an indicator that it may not have been done properly by a competent person, so it may not be safe.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - I think it’s still “sold as seen” with the original owner providing no warranties. It is common that prior to completion the buyer will ask for various things to be addressed. The seller can fix them in some way, knock £10 off or refuse to do anything. It’s always the buyer’s choice whether or not to proceed.

 

[Zerax]

Caveat Emptor is what it's all about... it's entirely up to the buyer to satisfy themselves that the property being purchased is 'up to spec' and as such, standard conveyance documentation states that no warranty is given.

However, as said before, if the purchaser insists upon it... it's very normal for a vendor to stump up the nominal fee for insurance (it really is peanuts) in case anything nasty comes back on the purchaser. Conveyancers are very keen to arrange this for some unknown reason.

 

[Dustydazzler]

up the river in a boat with out the paddles ,then the owner of the house will need to speak to the LBC for guidance .

Very easily resolved

The buyers solicitor will request that they purchase a indemnity policy to cover the works

This applies to boilers without a gas safe , a window without a Fensa and any building works without a completion certificate or without planning permission

There is absolutely nothing stopping a buyer proceeding a purchase

My uncle just purchased a bungalow that had a very recent rear kitchen extension that had absolutely no paperwork.
He paid for a survey to check the work and an indemnity to cover lack of paperwork.
The purchase went through like Normal

 

[Dustydazzler]

When I bought my house it had a new gas boiler fitted the year previously with no paperwork or notification. So it clearly still happens even in Gas Safe land.

The house we just purchased back in 2016 had a brand spanking new Worcester Bosch boiler , you guessed it no base safe paperwork.
We Paid a £60 indemnity as our solicitor ‘recommends’ it.
Get boiler serviced and checked on moving in.
No problem

 

[Dustydazzler]

The insurance through a solicitor to cover no electrical certificates costs less money than an EICR (properly done of course)!

Typical indemnity for missing gassafe , part pee or Fensa is around £60-80 in my experience

 

[Zerax]

I think that rather than getting stressed about no paperwork... we should get stressed about the appallingly low standard of modern built housing ! I know of so much of it that very clearly and obviously does not comply with building regulations yet it's all been signed off and all documentation is correct !!

 

[Midwest]

Before purchasing indemnity insurance for unauthorised building works, you should actually find out what it covers you for & what it doesn't.

Prosecution for contravention of building regs is time limited, as is an enforcement notice.

I sold my house last year. There's a legal document you have to sign, asking various questions; extensions or any other building work, ownership of borders (fencing etc), requirements of access for neighbours, installation of gas boilers, etc etc, AND if any electrical installations have taken place since 2005.

Copies of electrical & compliances certificates are asked to be attached to the signed document.

So I guess, if you haven't the appropriate documentation, is when the negotiations start. Or the prospective buyer may decide not to proceed.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Here is another question

My parents have lived in the same house for 45 years

Around 30 years ago they had a massive extension built but have lost any of the plans , hand written and signed paperwork / certs etc

They literally have no paperwork for what is a huge extension

 

[Midwest]

Here is another question

My parents have lived in the same house for 45 years

Around 30 years ago they had a massive extension built but have lost any of the plans , hand written and signed paperwork / certs etc

They literally have no paperwork for what is a huge extension

I suspect the buyers solicitor would recommend a survey. LBC could not take any action. Indemnity insurance would probably be worthless in this case.

 

[Zerax]

...I sold my house last year. There's a legal document you have to sign, asking various questions; extensions or any other building work, ownership of borders (fencing etc), requirements of access for neighbours, installation of gas boilers, etc etc, AND if any electrical installations have taken place since 2005...

In reality... most people will just say "No" to all those questions... especially if they don't have the right documentation.

It all forms part of the modern charade system of box ticking...

I recall many years ago... working in a company where the MDs father would come in now and again to saw up and remove surplus pallets. I noticed one day that he was very 'cack handed' with the circular saw he was using... so fearing for his safety (I'm caring like that...) I went over and politely suggested a safer way to do it... I was quickly rebuffed !! He told me that he had a certificate in 'power tool safety'... so therefore knew far more than me about it... I walked away, happy in the knowledge that if he did have a nasty accident, at least he had the correct certificate.

 

[snowhead]

Here is another question

My parents have lived in the same house for 45 years

Around 30 years ago they had a massive extension built but have lost any of the plans , hand written and signed paperwork / certs etc

They literally have no paperwork for what is a huge extension

It won't be a problem if it was all done though Building control, it will be registered and BC will issue a copy of the completion certificate.

In fact it may be worth looking into it now.

 

[Midwest]

In reality... most people will just say "No" to all those questions... especially if they don't have the right documentation.

Thats true, but bearing in mind it is a legal document, and you are entering into a legal contract with someone; if things go wrong, you could end up in some form of litigation.

Doubtful for electrical work install correctly. Perhaps not so for poorly or incorrectly installed work, that results in damage or injury.

It is ultimately the home owner who is responsible to ensure building regulations have been complied with.

 

[Midwest]

It won't be a problem if it was all done though Building control, it will be registered and BC will issue a copy of the completion certificate.

In fact it may be worth looking into it now.

There's a requirement for LBC to keep records, but again time limited. Not a problem these days, but I suspect there was no electronic record keeping 30 years ago, unless they've since electronically archived them.