HOMEOWNER GUIDE

New Home Electrical Checklist UK: 8 Things to Do When You Move In

Moving into a new home is hectic, but a few electrical checks in the first days can prevent serious problems later. This checklist covers locating the consumer unit, testing RCDs, checking smoke and CO detectors, knowing emergency procedures, testing outdoor sockets, and registering your meter.

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11 min readUpdated 2026-05-18Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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Key Takeaways

  • 1On moving day or the day before, locate the consumer unit (fuse box) and know how to operate the main switch. In an emergency you need to be able to isolate the electricity supply immediately.
  • 2Test every RCD in the consumer unit on the day you move in by pressing the T (test) button. Each RCD should trip within 300 milliseconds. If an RCD fails to trip or will not reset, call a qualified electrician before using the circuits it protects.
  • 3Check that working smoke detectors are present on every floor and a carbon monoxide detector is fitted in any room with a gas appliance, solid fuel appliance, or oil boiler. Test all detectors when you move in.
  • 4Outdoor socket outlets must be rated to at least IP44 (splash-proof) and preferably IP65 (jet-proof). All outdoor sockets must be protected by a 30mA RCD under Regulation 411.3.3 of BS 7671.
  • 5Register your electricity meter with the energy supplier on the day you take possession. Take a meter reading with a photograph showing the reading and the meter serial number to avoid billing disputes.
01 · Homeowner Guide

Step 1 — Locate the Consumer Unit and Main Switch

The consumer unit (often called the fuse box) is the central hub of your home's electrical installation. Knowing where it is and how to operate it is the single most important piece of electrical knowledge for any new homeowner.

  • Find it on day one — consumer units are commonly located under the stairs, in a hallway cupboard, in the kitchen, or in a utility room. In flats, it may be in a hallway cabinet. Make sure every member of your household knows where it is.
  • Identify the main switch — this is usually on the left side of the consumer unit and is typically larger than the individual circuit breakers. Switching it off isolates the entire electrical installation. In an emergency, this is the switch to operate.
  • Check the circuit labels — modern consumer units should have each circuit breaker labelled (lighting, sockets, cooker, shower, etc.). If labels are missing or unreadable, test and label each circuit yourself by switching off one breaker at a time and noting which sockets and lights go off.
  • Photograph the consumer unit — take a clear photograph of the consumer unit interior with the cover open, showing all breaker positions and labels. This is a useful reference if a breaker trips unexpectedly.
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02 · Homeowner Guide

Step 2 — Test the RCDs

Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are the primary protection against electric shock. They detect small imbalances in electrical current (which occur when current flows through a person to earth) and disconnect the circuit within 300 milliseconds — fast enough to prevent cardiac fibrillation in most cases.

  • Press the T (Test) button on each RCD — the RCD should trip (switch off) immediately. If your consumer unit has two RCDs (a split-load board), test both. If it has individual RCBOs (one per circuit), test each one.
  • If the RCD does not trip — this is a serious fault. The RCD is not providing protection. Do not use the circuits it covers until a qualified electrician has inspected and replaced the faulty device.
  • If the RCD will not reset — there is likely a fault on one of the circuits it protects. Switch off all the individual circuit breakers on that side of the board, then reset the RCD. Switch each breaker back on one at a time until the RCD trips again — the last circuit switched on is the faulty one. Disconnect appliances from that circuit and try again.
  • Test RCDs every six months — the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 recommend regular testing of protective devices. Press the T button every six months to confirm the RCD continues to operate correctly.

Under Regulation 411.3.3 of BS 7671, socket-outlet circuits rated up to 32A must be protected by a 30mA RCD. If your consumer unit has no RCDs at all, commission an EICR as a priority — this is a C2 (potentially dangerous) finding.

03 · Homeowner Guide

Step 3 — Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives. On moving into a new property, check that appropriate detectors are present, test them all, and replace batteries or units as needed.

  • Smoke detectors on every floor — at minimum, fit ionisation or optical smoke detectors in the hallway and on every landing. Optical detectors are better for slow-burning fires; ionisation detectors respond faster to fast-flaming fires. Ideally, fit both types or combination detectors.
  • Heat detector in the kitchen — optical smoke detectors in kitchens cause false alarms from cooking. Fit a heat detector instead, which triggers on temperature rise rather than particles.
  • Carbon monoxide detector in rooms with combustion appliances — fit a CO detector in any room containing a gas boiler, gas fire, wood-burning stove, solid fuel appliance, or oil appliance. Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2022, this is mandatory in rented properties and strongly recommended for owner-occupiers.
  • Test every detector — press the test button on each smoke and CO detector on moving-in day. Replace batteries if the alarm is faint. Replace the entire unit if it is more than 10 years old (smoke detectors) or more than 7 years old (CO detectors). Check the manufacture date on the back of the unit.
04 · Homeowner Guide

Step 4 — Know Your Emergency Turn-Off Procedures

In an electrical emergency, every member of the household needs to know how to isolate the electricity supply safely and quickly.

  • Electrical fire — switch off the main switch on the consumer unit immediately. Never use water on an electrical fire. Use a CO2 or dry powder extinguisher. If the fire is large, evacuate and call 999. Do not re-enter the building until the fire service has confirmed it is safe.
  • Electric shock — do not touch the person while they may still be in contact with the electrical source. Switch off the main switch or remove the plug from the socket. Call 999. If the person is not breathing, begin CPR if trained to do so.
  • Flooding — if water enters areas near electrical equipment, switch off the main switch before entering any flooded area. Do not operate electrical switches or enter flooded areas before the power is off. Call a qualified electrician before restoring the supply after any flooding incident.
  • Note emergency contact numbers — save your electricity distributor's 24-hour emergency line (National Grid: 0800 816 9176, or your regional distributor) and a reliable local electrician's number in your phone before you need them.
05 · Homeowner Guide

Step 5 — Test Each Circuit

Within your first week, test every circuit in the property to confirm it is working and to understand the layout of the installation.

  • Socket circuits — plug a lamp or charger into every socket outlet in the property to confirm it is live. Mark any dead sockets and report them to a qualified electrician.
  • Lighting circuits — test every light fitting in the property. Replace any blown lamps. Note any fittings that are damaged, missing covers, or where the lampshade shows signs of heat damage.
  • Cooker and shower circuits — confirm the cooker circuit breaker is correctly rated for your cooker (typically 32A or 40A for a full electric range). Test the electric shower if fitted. Note the shower's rated power (kW) and confirm the circuit breaker matches.
  • Immersion heater — if the property has an immersion heater, confirm the circuit breaker is operational and the timer (if fitted) is correctly set. Immersion heaters typically operate on a dedicated 15A or 16A circuit.
06 · Homeowner Guide

Step 6 — Check Outdoor Socket IP Rating

Outdoor socket outlets are convenient but must be correctly rated and protected to be safe in external environments. Inspect any outdoor sockets on the property as a priority.

  • Minimum IP44 rating — outdoor sockets must be rated to at least IP44. This rating provides protection against solid objects over 1mm and water splashing from any direction. IP65 (jet-proof) is better for exposed locations. Check for the IP rating moulded into the back of the socket housing.
  • RCD protection required — all outdoor socket outlets must be protected by a 30mA RCD under Regulation 411.3.3 of BS 7671. Check that the outdoor sockets are on a circuit protected by an RCD in the consumer unit.
  • Check for weatherproof covers — outdoor sockets should have spring-loaded covers or flap covers that close over the socket when not in use. Sockets without weatherproof covers should be replaced by a qualified electrician.
  • Garden lighting and outbuildings — check any garden lighting circuits and external wiring to outbuildings, sheds, or garages. Look for armoured cable (SWA) where cables are buried underground or surface-mounted in exposed locations. Inadequate outdoor wiring is a common EICR finding.

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07 · Homeowner Guide

Step 7 — Register the Meter

Registering your electricity meter correctly on moving-in day prevents billing disputes that can arise months later when the previous occupier's usage is eventually reconciled.

  • Take photos of the meter reading — photograph your electricity (and gas) meter on the day you take possession, showing the reading and the meter serial number. Photograph the MPAN (electricity) and MPRN (gas) numbers from the meter label.
  • Contact the existing supplier — call or email the energy supplier currently serving the property to give them your opening meter reading and to transfer the account to your name. You can find the current supplier using the Meter Point Administration Service (MPAS) by calling 0870 608 1524.
  • Consider switching supplier — you are not obliged to stay with the current supplier. Once you have established the supply in your name, you can switch to a tariff and supplier of your choice using a comparison site.
  • Smart meter upgrade — if the property has an old-style analogue meter, ask your supplier about a free smart meter installation. Smart meters provide real-time energy usage data and eliminate estimated bills.
08 · Homeowner Guide

Step 8 — Set Up Your Energy Account

Setting up your energy account correctly at the start avoids billing problems later and ensures you are on the right tariff for your usage.

  • Economy 7 or Economy 10 — if the property has storage heaters or an off-peak hot water cylinder, it may be on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff with cheaper overnight electricity. Confirm whether the meter is single-rate or multi-rate and choose a tariff accordingly.
  • Direct debit — set up a direct debit for your energy bill. Most suppliers offer a discount for direct debit customers. Review the direct debit amount after two or three months to ensure it reflects your actual usage.
  • EV charger and solar PV — if you plan to install an EV charger or solar panels, discuss EV tariffs and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) options with your supplier before installation. Some tariffs significantly reduce the cost of overnight EV charging.
09 · Homeowner Guide

Should You Get an EICR After Moving In?

If you commissioned an EICR during the purchase process and the result was Satisfactory, you do not need to commission another one immediately. File it and note the next recommended inspection date.

If you did not commission an EICR during purchase — which is common — consider commissioning one within your first year of ownership, particularly for properties over 25 years old. An EICR costs £150 to £400 and gives you a comprehensive picture of the installation's condition, including any issues that should be addressed proactively.

  • New builds — a brand-new property will have an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) issued by the building contractor's electrician. Request a copy from the developer at completion. The recommended first periodic inspection for a new domestic installation is after 10 years.
  • Properties over 25 years old — commission an EICR within the first year if you did not obtain one during purchase. This gives you a baseline and identifies any work needed before it becomes urgent.
  • Before making alterations — always get an EICR before starting any significant electrical work such as adding circuits, installing an EV charger, or rewiring a kitchen. Knowing the existing installation's condition helps the electrician plan the work correctly.
10 · Homeowner Guide

For Electricians: New Home Inspection Work

New homeowners who discover electrical issues soon after moving in are a strong source of remedial work. Many commission an EICR in their first year of ownership, and those who found issues during purchase need the work carried out promptly.

Deliver the EICR Before You Leave

Use the Elec-Mate EICR app to complete and issue the report on the day of inspection. New homeowners appreciate speed — they want to understand their installation and plan any necessary work quickly.

Quote Remedial and Upgrade Work

New homeowners often want upgrades as well as remedial work — extra sockets, EV charger points, outdoor circuits. Use the quoting app to provide comprehensive quotes on the day and win the full scope of work.

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