Construction defect · Defects & construction flaws
Non-compliant electrics: RGIE standard, sockets, sub-panel
Severity ⚠ Critical
Standard RGIE / AREI
Warranty Two-year + ten-year
Responsibility Approved electrician
How to detect a non-compliant RGIE installation?
Every new electrical installation must have been inspected by an approved body (Vinçotte, AIB-Vinçotte, BTV, OCB, etc.) and obtained an RGIE compliance report (General Regulation on Electrical Installations) — now renamed AREI. Without this report, you are not covered in case of fire or electrocution. Check: presence of an earth (rod or ring), 30 mA RCDs at the head, ratings matched to cable cross-sections, minimum number of circuits per function, sockets with earth, panel labelling, distance from water points.
Before — compliant
labelled panel · earth 25Ω · RGIE report OK
30 mA RCDs · matched ratings · compliance report
⚠ After — non-compliant
unlabelled panel · earth 120Ω · no report
Earth out of spec · no report · regularise urgently
Reporting procedure in 4 steps
Non-compliant electrics are an immediate risk (fire, electrocution) and an insurance defect. Regularise without delay through legal channels.
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1
Request the RGIE/AREI report
Registered letter to the contractor demanding the compliance report within 8 days. Without this document, the reception cannot be legally validated.
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2
Independent inspection
Commission an approved body (Vinçotte, AIB, BTV, OCB) for a full inspection: earth, RCDs, ratings, cross-sections, labelling. Cost €180-280.
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3
Formal notice
Registered letter to the contractor and approved electrician within 90 days. Attach independent inspection report and demand regularisation within 30 days.
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4
Forced regularisation
If refused, keep the non-compliant report and initiate summary judicial proceedings. The adversarial assessment is admissible in court and home insurance may intervene.
Who pays for regularisation? Responsibility table
The approved electrician is responsible for RGIE compliance. The main contractor is jointly liable for visible defects at reception.
RGIE/AREI report missing
✓ legal obligation
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—
Earth out of spec
✓ two-year warranty
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Missing RCD
✓ two-year warranty
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Undersized cable
✓ ten-year liability
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ARI
Overload added by owner
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✓
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Get an inspection
Independent RGIE inspection of your installation
Admissible report · 5-day turnaround · from €280 VAT incl.
FAQ
Common questions about electrics
Without an RGIE report, does my home insurance cover me?+
No. In case of fire or electrical incident, the insurer may refuse cover in the absence of an RGIE/AREI compliance report. Claim this document before final reception.
How many sockets minimum per room under RGIE?+
Under RGIE/AREI: minimum 2 sockets in the living room, 1 per bedroom, plus specific kitchen sockets (4 minimum including 1 dedicated to the oven), bathroom (waterproof + 30 mA RCD), utility room. The defect is a reportable non-compliance.
My earth measures 80 ohms. Is that compliant?+
Earth resistance must be below 100 ohms for a domestic dwelling, ideally below 30 ohms. At 80 Ω you are RGIE-compliant but poorly protected. Request improvement if a new building.
How much does regularisation cost?+
Between €1,200 and €8,000 VAT incl. depending on the extent of defects. At the contractor's expense if reported under warranty. Keep quotes and invoices.
The report is negative. What should I do?+
Demand regularisation within 30 days by registered letter. If refused, commission another body for a counter-inspection and initiate judicial proceedings. The property cannot be legally sold or rented without a positive report.