New safety regulations mean it is now illegal for householders to do any more than the simplest electrical work.

Anything other than changing a socket or light switch must now be done by a qualified electrician.

All such work is now subject to official inspection and certification, through the local authority. The system was introduced by the Government to cut the number of deaths and injuries caused by faulty wiring or cowboy contractors leaving electrical work in an unsafe state, leading to electrocution or fires.

These regulations mean that smaller electrical jobs, which competent DIYers have felt confident
to do themselves now come under the new regulations.

With the introduction of Home Buyers' packs it is important that all electrical work on your home is done by a qualified person and properly certified. Failure to provide complying certification my mean the work has to be re-done to obtain the required certificates.