New regs might be a shock

Householders in south Warwickshire could be in danger of getting their fingers burned with new electrical safety standards which have just come into effect. Stratford-on-Avon District Council is reminding home owners that from alterations to the fixed electrical wiring in houses now needs to be certified by a qualified electrician.

Failure to meet the new regulations, which came into force last month, could leave property owners with un-saleable homes if they cannot produce the correct documentation. Some work, such as replacing ceiling roses or socket covers is exempt but the majority of electrical work is not.

"The idea behind this is to make homes much safer and protect us all from bodged electrical repairs," says Cllr Richards Adams, the district council portfolio holder for planning & transport.

"This is all part of the government and the construction Industry's efforts to drive out cowboy trades people who give construction a bad name but more importantly put peoples lives at risk.

"From now on, evidence must be presented to the council to prove any electrical work on extensions and alterations meets the new guidelines. This includes putting in new sockets in a replacement kitchen, for example, all the way up to a complete rewiring job.

"Householders who do not employ an electrician who is a member of a competent person scheme, or a properly qualified electrician must apply to the district council for building regulation approval."

The government has introduced a competent persons scheme for Electrical Safety (similar to the FENSA scheme for replacement windows) so that if you employ an electrician or company registered under a scheme, you will be presented with a certificate at the end of the works and you will be able to present this to any prospective purchaser in the future, this certificate will also satisfy the district council's Building Control section and enable them to issue the Completion Certificate.

Anyone requiring further information about building regulation approvals should contact the council's Building Control Section on 01789 260620 for further advice.