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Rules for electrical work in the home

 
Building regulations aimed at reducing the number of deaths, serious injuries and house fires caused by faulty electrical work came into force on 1 January 2005.
Anyone considering electrical work in their home must notify the Council’s building control department. For more information, read the Department for Communities and Local Government's guidance leaflet.

What kind of work is affected?

Anyone considering carrying out electrical work in kitchens, bathrooms or outdoors or those adding new electrical circuits to any part of their house will have to notify the Council’s building control department. 

Minor jobs like replacing sockets and light switches in low risk areas such as bedrooms and living rooms will not be affected. 

Council tenants

Council tenants should continue to notify the maintenance sections of their local housing office if electrical work is needed. 

Housing association tenants

Housing Association residents should contact their estate offices or equivalent for advice.

Private homeowners

Private homeowners may wish to get work carried out by a suitably qualified electrician. 

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All residents

It is important that all residents fully comply with the new regulations. Failure to do so could lead to householders being required to pay to bring the work up to standard and private homeowners may find it more difficult to sell their homes.

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