Landlords are often told they must PAT test every year. For most private lets in England that isn’t a legal requirement, but you do have a duty to make sure the appliances you supply are safe, and some councils require testing as a condition of an HMO licence. Here’s how it fits together.
What landlords have to do
Anything you supply with a let, from a fridge or washing machine to a kettle or a lamp, should be safe when the tenancy starts and stay safe during it. The law doesn’t require you to prove that with a PAT test, but a test, with a record of the result, is the simplest way to show you’ve checked.
Tenants’ own appliances are their responsibility, not yours.
Fixed wiring is different
Since 2020, most private landlords in England have had to have the fixed electrical installation (the wiring, sockets and consumer unit) inspected and tested at least every five years, and give tenants a copy of the report. That’s an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), and it doesn’t cover plug-in appliances.
Government guidance for landlords encourages regular checks of the appliances you provide as well, even though they aren’t part of the EICR.
Houses in multiple occupation
If you let a house in multiple occupation that needs a licence, check the conditions of your licence. Many councils require landlords to provide a current PAT test certificate for appliances they supply, and to produce it on request. If yours does, testing isn’t optional.
Holiday lets and serviced accommodation
Holiday lets are run as a business, and equipment in them is used by a lot of different people. Insurers and booking platforms often ask how electrical safety is managed. Regular testing, with labels and a list of results, gives you a clear answer.
How often?
As with any PAT testing, the interval depends on the equipment and how it’s used. It’s sensible to:
- check appliances between tenancies, when the property is empty
- look over cables and plugs at every inspection visit
- test portable appliances at regular intervals, more often for items that get heavy use, are moved around or are used by many people
- keep a list of what was tested, when, and the result
What we do
We test the appliances you supply, label each one, fit replacement fuses or rewire plugs where needed, and give you a list of results on paper and electronically. If you have several properties, we’ll record each one separately and remind you before each is due.