D‐I‐Y and the duty of care

The term ‘do‐it‐yourself’ means different things to different people — ranging from putting a new fuse in an electrical plug to building one's own house brick by brick. The purpose of this article is to examine the extent to which the DIY enthusiast is under any legal obligations and liabilities, and to whom these are owed. Several major legal categories emerge, particularly in terms of the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, common law negligence and nuisance. The DIY Defendant's position as current occupier of his premises is also contrasted with his obligations to subsequent purchasers of it.