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Electrical work: the paperwork you should have

New circuits, a replacement consumer unit, and work in bathroom zones are notifiable in England. Done properly, the job produces an installation certificate from the electrician plus a building regulations certificate from their scheme.

England rules, checked against the official sources on 2026-07-17. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own building control regimes.

Electrical installation certificate (EIC)

Who gives it to you: The electrician issues it on completion for new installation work. Smaller non notifiable jobs get a minor electrical installation works certificate instead.

What it proves: The new electrical work was designed, installed and tested to the wiring regulations (BS 7671).

Check it or get a copy: Ask the electrician or their registration scheme for a copy. An EICR is a different document: a condition report on existing wiring, useful for a buyer's comfort but not proof that past work was signed off. Official page (opens in new tab) · Check a registration number · About this scheme

Building regulations compliance certificate (electrical scheme)

Who gives it to you: The electrician's registration scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT and others) issues it after the electrician notifies the notifiable work. Expect it within weeks of completion.

What it proves: The notifiable electrical work was self certified as compliant with building regulations.

Check it or get a copy: Search the official register of electrical competent persons by address or ask the scheme for a duplicate. Official page (opens in new tab) · Check a registration number · About this scheme

When no paperwork is expected

Since April 2013, like for like replacements of sockets, switches and single damaged cables, and most work outside bathroom zones that does not add a circuit, are not notifiable in England. They should still come with a minor works certificate.

Worth knowing

  • The rules on unauthorised building work changed in 2023 and many guides are still wrong about it. A council can now serve a section 36 notice requiring work to be pulled apart or fixed for 10 years after completion (it used to be 12 months), and prosecution for breaching building regulations carries an unlimited fine and up to 2 years with no time limit. Missing paperwork does not quietly expire. Building Act 1984, sections 35 and 36, as amended by the Building Safety Act 2022 (opens in new tab)
  • When you sell, the Law Society TA6 property information form asks you to disclose alterations and attach the paperwork: planning permissions, building regulations approvals, completion certificates and scheme certificates such as FENSA. The TA6 6th edition becomes mandatory for accredited firms on 30 March 2026. Law Society: TA6 6th edition (opens in new tab)
  • Indemnity insurance is a product solicitors sometimes discuss for missing certificates (roughly £20 to £300). Whether it applies is a question for your solicitor: it does not make the work compliant or safe, and because contacting the council about the work can affect eligibility, talk to your solicitor before making any calls. HomeOwners Alliance: no building regulations approval (opens in new tab)
  • Planning permission and building regulations are separate systems. A Lawful Development Certificate covers planning only and does not remove the need to comply with building regulations, and a building regulations certificate is not planning permission. GOV.UK: lawful development certificates (opens in new tab)

If the work still needs doing, or redoing

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Common questions

What paperwork should I have for electrical work?

Electrical installation certificate (EIC); Building regulations compliance certificate (electrical scheme). New circuits, a replacement consumer unit, and work in bathroom zones are notifiable in England. Done properly, the job produces an installation certificate from the electrician plus a building regulations certificate from their scheme.

What if the electrical installation certificate (eic) is missing?

For notifiable work with no paperwork, NAPIT runs the only route for third party certification of another person's work; council regularisation is the other certificated route. Your solicitor may also raise indemnity insurance; whether it applies is their call. Source: IET: Part P and building regulations.

What if the building regulations compliance certificate (electrical scheme) is missing?

Check the register by address first: notifications outlive lost paper. Source: GOV.UK: competent person schemes, current schemes list.

Does missing paperwork stop me selling the house?

Not by itself, but the TA6 property information form asks sellers to disclose alterations and attach the paperwork, and buyers' solicitors chase gaps. Reordering a lost certificate is usually cheap and fast; where work was never signed off, regularisation and other options exist to discuss with your solicitor.

This is guidance from the public rules, not legal or conveyancing advice. Your council, the scheme body and your solicitor have the final say on your situation.

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