New-builds in Leavesden, Riverwell, Cassio Heights and the developments out towards Croxley come with an EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) in the homeowner pack. That's the good news. The less-good news is that snagging electrical items before your warranty expires is entirely on you, and developers rarely go back for free once the 2-year window closes.
The five-minute check
- Count the sockets. Modern bedrooms should have 4+ double sockets. Living rooms 6+. Kitchens 8+. If you're short, the developer should have raised it before handover.
- Test every RCD. On your fuse board, press the "T" or "TEST" button on each RCD in turn. They should trip immediately. If any don't, that's a warranty issue.
- Check the outdoor sockets. New-builds almost always have one near the front or back door. It should be IP66-rated (has a clip-down cover) and on its own RCBO.
- Inspect the consumer unit. It should be metal, labelled on every circuit, and have an SPD (surge protection device) at the top. Plastic boards are a 2018-or-earlier giveaway.
- Look for the EV-ready circuit. Under Part S of the Building Regulations, every new-build from 2022 should come with a dedicated 32 A radial cable run to the garage or driveway. It might not have the charger yet, but the cable should be there.
Things developers get wrong surprisingly often
- Bathroom extractor timers. Should stay on for 15 minutes after the light goes off. Usually set to 2–3 minutes by rushed installs.
- Loft insulation over downlights. Fire hoods should be fitted. Often skipped on budget builds.
- Bonding to the water main. Required even on plastic main pipes in some cases. Easily missed.
- Smoke + heat alarm interlinking. Should be mains-powered, interlinked, and tested. Check they all sound when you press one.
If you've just moved in and any of this makes you uneasy, we do new-build electrical audits for £125 — we walk the house, test everything, and write you a plain-English report you can hand to the developer before the warranty window closes. Worth its weight in rows you don't have to have later.
