So you’re a Landlord or estate agent and you’re probably wondering what the rules, regulations and things to consider are when it comes to your Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). Well we’ve condensed everything you need to know as a landlord below before getting your PAT testing completed.
We partner with many estate agents and landlords in the Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire areas, providing them industry leading PAT Testing services for their landlords and tenants alike.
PowerPlug offers estate agents thorough, professional and affordable PAT Testing services to give peace of mind to the agent they are satisfying their responsibility to check with landlords that electrical equipment being supplied at a property is safe to use.
What is PAT Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is a form of electrical testing also referred to as Electrical Equipment Testing. It involves checking that appliances are safe to use usually via visual inspections and electrical tests.
Usually a PAT test will check earth continuity, lead polarity and insulation resistance of an appliance. Despite it’s name, PAT testing can include fixed appliances such as heated towel rails or handdryers.
Is PAT Testing a Legal Requirement for landlords?
Generally speaking, PAT testing is not a legal requirement for Landlords or houses of multiple occupancy (HMO’s), but this does depend where in the UK you are. For example some local authorities require that rented accommodation be PAT tested. We recommend checking with local council in which the property is situated to be sure whether you will be legally required to PAT test or not.
Portable Appliance Testing is a legal requirement for Landlords in Scotland under The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014.
What are the regulations?
There are a few regulations to consider as a landlord that have implications for your need to be testing electrical equipment regularly.
The Housing Act 2004 (For England and Wales) came into force in 2006. This changed the way privately rented homes are assessed electrically and specifically changed the assessment for HMO’s. Most HMO’s now need to be licensed by local councils and to achieve this license often a local authority will require you to have a PAT Testing certificate.
The Housing Act (Scotland) 2006, 2014 applies specifically to properties located in Scotland and introduced a “repairing standard”. This requires that equipment supplied by a landlord has to be in a reasonable state of repair and proper working order.
What is best practice for Landlords?
As a landlord, you are a duty holder which means you are responsible for upholding the safety of the electrical equipment you may supply to your tenants.
HMO’s usually have communal areas with electrical appliances such as white goods, kettles, toasters and microwaves. All of these electrical appliances should be PAT tested every time you have a new tenant.
Guidance from the Ministry of Housing, communities and Local Government (MHCLG) indicates that when an accommodation is re-let, it should be treated as if it were being supplied to the tenant for the first time and should therefore be re-checked (PAT Tested).
Do I have to PAT Test for a HMO?
Houses of multiple occupancy differ from regular rental properties. Some local councils across the UK will require you to produce a PAT testing certificate for them to grant a HMO license.
We recommend checking with your local council where the property is situated to understand if you are going to be required to PAT test.
Who can carry out a PAT Test?
In line with the IET’s Code of Practice, a PAT Test should be carried out by a “competent person” with a working knowledge of the IET’s guide.
What appliances need to be tested?
Anything considered portable and/or supplied by the landlord should be PAT tested. This includes but is not limited to the following;
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Microwave (should also be emissions tested)
- Fridge
- Freezer
- Coffee Machine
- Televisions
- Bed Side Lamps
- Washing Machine
- Tumble Dryer
- Hoovers
- Extension Leads
How often should a landlord carry out PAT testing?
The regulation currently advises that it is up to the duty holder (landlord in this case) as to the frequency of PAT testing carried out.
We recommend PAT Testing at least with every new tenancy.
As a rule of thumb, it is good practice to regularly PAT test appliances you supply as a landlord, particularly if these appliances move a lot like kettles, toasters and stereos.
How do I get a PAT Testing certificate?
Your PAT testing should always be carried out by a competent person and we recommend getting a professional PAT test.
You can get a PAT Testing certificate from any PAT testing company or testing company that offers PAT testing as a service.
Some things to consider when getting a PAT Testing certificate;
- Was the engineer testing competent? (I.e, City & Guilds 2377 Qualified)
- Ensure all eligible items within a property are tested and are labelled
- How long does the certificate last for?
- Check your test data for Pass and Failure rates
Do you have to PAT Test for Airbnb’s and holiday lets?
It is not a requirement to PAT Test if you rent out a property on Airbnb or a holiday property let. However some individual rental companies may require you to do this.
We recommend PAT testing your holiday rental property for peace of mind that your electrical appliances are safe and kept in proper working order.
Do you need PAT Testing for your HMO, rental property or holiday let?
We have been PAT Testing Specialists for over 30 years and have been servicing HMO and rental properties throughout the introduction of new regulation. Our engineers are experts in what they do.
We provide industry leading PAT services for landlords, estate agents and private rentals. Why not contact us for a Free no obligation quote today?