need Electrical Certificate

cisko65

In 2006 I applied for building approval for moving the kitchen to another area of my flat. A council surveyor did two inspections before the works were completed in 2007. I was told that a Part P electrical certificate was necessary before getting a final approval. And here is the problem: I never got the Part P installation certificate as the guy who did the job disappeared. A registered electrician who made some adjustments in 2012 never gave me a certificate (I stupidly payed him before getting it).

I have been told that only the electrician who carried out the works (in my case in 2006) can supply "an installation certificate", and this of course makes sense but is not possible. And that a "periodic inspection report" is not enough.

More importantly I was told by the council that I cannot apply for regularization as I DID apply for the Building Control.

I would like to sell my flat and not having the building approval might be a problem. I am stressed and worried.

Not sure if it matters: I recently bought the share of freehold and the floor plan of the flat shows the kitchen where it is now, not where it was before the works.

Thank you so much in any case.

AdrianC

There's nothing the council can do about you having failed to get building regs sign the work off. Not now.

A buyer might want a certificate to say the work's been done properly. They might want an indemnity (useless though it'd be). You need to figure out what's going to be cheapest and least likely to jeopardise a sale - get a sparky to test and sign it off, or get an indemnity.

Chanes

If you had the work signed off as safe and fit for purpose by a competent electrician it would not be something that would put me off buying a property and I am a nervous property buyer.

cisko65

Thank you so much. I looked up what 'indemnity' for building regulation is and it seems interesting, although it would probably turn off the buyers' interest as you say.

Regarding getting a to test and sign it off, some further details I should have given about the mess I got myseIf into:

In 2012 an electrician found by the original builder agreed to do a few changes and give me an installation certificate. He gave me a domestic electrical installation certificate form filled in with some works details ('plans made pre 2008', 'NAPIT Number', his name and address and signature). BUT in the certificate number box it says 'TEMP_ and a date'. For months he told me that he had to renew his registration.

cisko65

Thank to you too Chanes. Excuse my ignorance: would an electrician sign off as safe works done under wooden floor, inside the kitchen wall etc.? I mean not exactly easy to check?

Hoploz

You can't get a retrospective installation certificate (bit pointless if things were installed years ago anyway) so the next best thing would be a new electrical safety check which you could have done in advance of selling. Your buyer might agree to do it further down the line, but tbh they are likely to ask you to pay anyway so I'd suggest just getting it done now. Also if you do and any changes are necessary then you can get it all sorted and rest easy whilst selling.

ETA: you'll probably be asked to get an indemnity policy if you didn't get the final completion certificate from building control regardless of this specific electrical query.

G_M

The council cannot enforce Building Control once 12 months have passed since the work was completed.

So a buyer's only justifiable concern could be that there is something dangerous about the electrics. A "periodic inspection report"would throw up anything dangerous so should satisfy a buyer.


https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200128/building_control/38/building_regulations/3

A section 36 enforcement notice cannot be served on you after the expiration of 12 months from the date of completion of the building work.

cisko65

Hi again AdrianC,
1) You say
‘There's nothing the council can do about you having failed to get building regs sign the work off. Not now.’
I didn’t inform the council about completion. Does this matter?

2) In case I don’t go through the Building Approval and instead ask an electrician to test, do changes (probably necessary) what kind of certificate should he/she sign off?

Thanks

G_M

cisko65 wrote: »

1) You say
‘There's nothing the council can do about you having failed to get building regs sign the work off. Not now.’
I didn’t inform the council about completion. Does this matter?
See post 7

2) In case I don’t go through the Building Approval and instead ask an electrician to test, do changes (probably necessary) what kind of certificate should he/she sign off?

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/find-an-electrician/periodic-inspection-explained/

mchale

cisko65 wrote: »

I would like to sell my flat and not having the building approval might be a problem. I am stressed and worried

Why not wait and see if any potential purchasers raise any issues first.

cisko65

Hi again Hoploz

1) Do I get it right saying your reply confirm AdrianC’s. You advise having a new electrical safety check before selling. It makes sense. (Although estate agents always mention regularization). Is there a specific name for the certificate I need to ask the electrician before paying him?

3) An electrician did some amendments in 2012 filling in a ‘domestic electrical installation certificate’ saying that works were done before 2008: the certificate number box says 'TEMP_ 22/11/2012.
I paid him waiting for a non-temporary, real certificate, but he ran away...
I’ll call NAPIT tomorrow, not sure they can help.

I have been in denial for years about this Part P certificate for declaring completion to Building Approval. Wishing to get a retrospective installation certificate is still inside me (I see that it would be pointless but why not possible?).

Thank you so much.
cisko