PAT Testing for Landlords in East London – Is It Necessary?

Taking the necessary actions to make sure your tenants live safely in your rental property comes under the responsibilities of being a landlord. Regulations such as Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations outline some of the requirements for landlords but there are some areas that are not as clear. For example, there is often some confusion around whether PAT testing is necessary.

This guide explains everything landlords need to know about portable appliance testing (PAT). So, if you are a landlord in East London areas such as Ilford, Forest Gate, Leyton or Leytonstone – read on to find out the answers to some of the most common questions about PAT testing for rental properties.

What is portable appliance testing (PAT)?

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the process of the inspection and testing of portable appliances to check that they are safe for use. The test is carried out by a competent and qualified inspector using specialist equipment. PAT testing should be carried out for any appliances that are plugged into a power source.

Is PAT testing a legal requirement for landlords?

No, PAT testing is not a legal requirement for the majority of landlords, but it is recommended. Getting PAT testing completed will give you peace of mind that your rental property and your tenants are safe. PAT testing reduces the chance of an electrical fire that could cause damage to your property and potentially harm your tenants. There is a possibility that PAT testing will become a legal requirement in future, as the government could introduce more comprehensive regulations for landlords.

PAT testing and landlord licences

Although PAT testing is not a legal requirement, there are some requirements from local authorities for landlords to arrange PAT testing under the conditions of their licensing criteria. For example, the HMO licensing scheme conditions for the local authority of Waltham Forest include obtaining an electrical appliance test report every 30 months.

It is important that landlords check the licensing requirements of the local authority that their property is in, to ensure that they are complying. Local authorities can ask landlords to provide proof of portable appliance testing.

Want to know more? PAT testing sits alongside a broader set of electrical obligations — read our full guide to electrical safety certificates for landlords to understand the legal requirements around EICRs, and explore the wider picture of private landlords’ responsibilities.

Why carry out a PAT test?

The main reasons to have PAT testing completed is to ensure electrical appliances are safe to use. Landlords have a duty of care to protect the health and safety of tenants living in the property and testing can prevent injuries and fire damage. Electrical faults are one of the leading causes of fires in residential properties, with around 20,000 fires of electrical original occurring in the UK each year. Common causes of electrical fires include overloaded sockets, faulty wiring and unsafe appliances.

Portable appliance testing also helps to protect landlords from allegations of negligence in case of an accident related to faulty electrics.

For landlords of HMOs, local authorities will usually require PAT testing as a condition of granting an HMO licence.

What appliances should be PAT tested?

PAT testing should be conducted for any item that has a plug. This includes:

• White goods – Electrical ovens, washing machines, dishwashers and fridge freezers.
• Portable electrical appliances – Microwaves, toasters, kettles, TVs, vacuum cleaners, lamps, laptops, PCs.

Who should carry out the PAT test?

PAT testing should be carried out by a competent person who has the relevant technical knowledge about electrical testing. It is recommended that the person who does the PAT testing has a recognised qualification in portable appliance testing.

However, anyone with adequate electrical knowledge can perform PAT testing in low-risk environments. Some landlords choose to complete PAT testing training courses so that they can perform the tests themselves to ensure the safety of their tenants.

How do I conduct a Portable Applicance Test?

If you are performing PAT testing yourself, these are the steps involved:

1 Visual Inspection

The first step of a portable appliance test is completing a visual inspection of each appliance. This should include a visual check for signs of any electrical issues on:

• The plug – Look for any cracks or burns, bent pins etc. Check that the wiring is correct.
• The cable – Check whether there are any signs of damage to the cable, such as fraying or abrasions.
• The appliance – Perform a visual inspection of the appliances to look for any burns or other types of damage.
• The mains socket – Conduct a check of the mains socket to look for any loose fittings, signs of overheating or cracks.
• Environmental check – Look for any signs of hazards such as overloaded sockets and extension leads, or any other fire hazards.

2 Manual inspection

The manual inspection involves testing each appliance with a portable test appliance device. This tests for insulation resistance, earth continuity and lead polarity.

3 Labelling and recording

The results of the PAT test should be recorded, and labels should be stuck onto each appliance. The labels should indicate whether the item passed or failed, the inspection date and the retest date.

How do I spot dangerous appliances?

Dangerous appliances may have obvious signs such as error messages, damage to wiring or the plug. There may also be signs such as scorch marks or a burning smell. Flickering lights or a buzzing noise are also indications that there is an electrical issue.

You can also put your hand over outlets or switches to check the temperature, as hot outlets are another sign of a problem.

Want to find out more? If you rent out property in Newham, local licensing conditions may affect your PAT testing obligations — find out whether you need a Newham landlord licence and how landlord property inspections can help you stay on top of appliance safety between formal checks.

How often should I carry out PAT testing?

Unless you are required to perform PAT testing as a licensing condition of the local authority, there is no defined requirements in terms of how often PAT testing needs to be done. However, it is best practice to have PAT testing done every two years or when a new tenant moves in.

Differences between PAT & an EICR

Although PAT and EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) are both important aspects of electrical safety, they are not the same. An EICR involves the testing of electrical wiring, switches, sockets and fuses, while PAT focuses on the testing of portable appliances. Landlords must have EICRs completed every five years and face penalties if they do not have a valid EICR.

An EICR is a legal requirement, whereas PAT is not currently legally required for landlords of private rental properties.

Find out more

If you are a landlord in East London areas such as Stratford or East Ham, Highcastle Estates provides property management services, including arranging for qualified contractors to complete PAT testing and EICRs. Contact us today to find out more about our services.