Aussie First Home Owner Lost For Words Over Shocking Discovery Hidden In Bathroom I Was Absolutely Mortified

A homeowner has been shocked by a discovery in their newly built home which raises questions about building standards, compliance checks, and how much trust buyers should place in new developments.

The Australian man recently moved into the new-build property and found a power point installed directly beneath the plumbing inside the master bedroom – with water taps positioned directly above the electrical socket.

‘I’ve just moved into my first home. Would anybody be able to tell me if this power point beneath the plumbing is considered compliant and safe? It’s under the vanity of the ensuite,’ he wrote on Reddit while sharing a photo of the odd placement.

The answers were swift – and alarming.

Electrical outlets located directly below water pipes or taps pose a serious safety risk.

If a pipe leaks, bursts or even slowly drips over time, water can enter the socket, dramatically increasing the risk of electric shock, short-circuiting, fire or electrocution.

In wet areas like bathrooms, Australian standards require considerable separation between water sources and electrical fittings, as well as additional protections such as residual current devices (RCDs).

For many following the post, the real worry was not the juxtaposition of the electricity and water, but that the property was still approved by an inspector and received an occupancy certificate.

‘I would be absolutely mortified to see this in my brand-new home,’ one person commented.

‘What on earth makes builders think this is okay? How did this even get an occupancy certificate?’

Others said the issue exposed just how inadequate compliance checks have become.

‘I remember our pool getting certified. The guy was here for two minutes, took a few photos and left. Sent the approval certificate later. I noticed things that didn’t comply and fixed them myself,’ a man wrote.

Several commenters were alarmed that this safety risk involved not just one tradesman, but multiple.

‘The builder should’ve picked that up. The plumber should’ve raised flags. The electrician absolutely should’ve raised flags. That’s incompetence at three trade levels,’ one wrote.

Another added that even the cabinetmaker bore responsibility, as they would have drilled the holes and threaded pipes and cables through the vanity.

‘They could’ve simply moved the cables down before installing,’ the commenter said.

Some went further, warning the issue wasn’t just sloppy – but potentially unlawful.

‘This isn’t ignorance. It’s a potentially fatal non-compliance with the law. I’d be reporting this to the relevant government body.’

The incident has struck a nerve at a time when the federal government is rushing to try to build many new homes to accommodate the country’s unprecedented wave of migration.

Many buyers are discovering that ‘brand new’ doesn’t always mean problem-free – and that corners are being cut in the hastily-built properties.

Experts often advise new homeowners to carry out their own inspections, even after a property has passed official checks, and to raise concerns immediately with builders while warranties still apply.

For this buyer, the moment was a sobering one.

What should have been the excitement of settling into a first home instead became a harsh reminder that in Australia’s booming construction industry, vigilance is still essential – even in the places you least expect to look.