Table of Contents
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all the electrical installations in your rented property are well-maintained and safe to use.
This includes all kinds of fixed and portable installations and appliances that are subject to deterioration upon time and prolonged use.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the inspection and testing of portable electrical appliances, and since every kind of property has these items and the inability to have them regularly checked can lead to faults and consequent damages, everyone must have it done on time, including landlords.
Read on to find out all about PAT testing for landlords, what they need to do, and how often the tests need to be performed.
Often during an electrical inspection, the main areas of focus are the hardwired systems and components such as the consumer box, circuit boards, sockets, switches, and fixtures.
The remaining electrical appliances are often overlooked and that is where PAT testing comes in. It is a safety measure taken to ensure that all the portable electrical appliances and equipment are safe to use.
A professional PAT test involves a certified electrical contractor visiting your rented property to perform a visual assessment of the appliances and then carrying out a proper test to check their condition.
Both types of assessments are equally important for a complete PAT test and to ensure that everything has been checked and is safe for the tenants to use.
Most faults and defects can be identified by a visual test by keeping an eye out for overheating, burning, or unusual odours, whereas some can only be identified through a thorough inspection.
After completing the test, the certified electrical contractor will attach a sticker to the appliance indicating the health of the system in terms of a pass or fail.
The next recommended date for the inspection is also written on the sticker for the landlord’s and electrician’s reference.
As mentioned above, PAT testing involves the testing of all electrical appliances that are not fixed, aka portable.
This can be a little confusing sometimes, therefore, as a general rule of thumb, all electrical appliances that can be moved and have a plug attached to them are included in the test.
The list can be long and usually includes:
The IET’s code of practice classifies all electrical appliances into several types for testing and inspection services. For PAT testing, we will look at the first two types; Class 1 and Class 2.
Class 1 appliances have basic insulation and rely on an earth connection for protection. They are made of metal, have a three-core cable, and have a metal earth pin. During a PAT test, earth continuity and insulation resistance tests are carried out. Typical examples of Class 1 appliances include refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, and toasters.
Class 2 appliances, also known as double insulated, have supplementary insulation and do not rely on an earth connection for protection. They have a plastic case and a double-box symbol on the rating plate. During a PAT test, just the insulation resistance test is carried out. Typical examples of Class 2 appliances include televisions, computers, and photocopiers.
There are currently no strict legal regulations which state that you must conduct regular PAT testing for your portable electrical appliances as part of your responsibilities as a good landlord.
The government, however, has put special emphasis on having the appliances and installations maintained and in good working condition, and the best way to go about that is through PAT testing.
Many insurance companies expect you, as a landlord, to perform regular PAT tests that ensure that all your appliances are well-maintained and safe to use, and do not pose any serious threats to the safety of life and property.
PAT testing also helps landlords stay compliant with several regulations such as:
Since PAT testing is not a legal requirement, why do landlords need to have it done? The answer is simple. Carrying out a professional PAT test on your appliances helps make your rented property a safer place for your tenants, and it makes you a good landlord and a great person.
As a landlord, you have a certain responsibility towards your tenants and a PAT test, among other safety inspections, helps you fulfil that responsibility.
A majority of the fire-related incidents that the Fire and Safety Services are called out to are caused due to electrical fires. How do these fires erupt? Due to faulty equipment and installations.
Fires are deadly and can cause substantial loss to both lives and property. Landlords must play their part in minimizing this risk by making all their appliances fit and safe for use.
PAT testing tests the items that are not part of the fixed wiring and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises. It is recommended that items are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and use of the appliance.
Some appliances need to be tested more frequently than others and to determine how often it must be done, you should bear in mind a few different factors such as:
The best way to determine how often to perform testing on your rented property is to conduct a thorough risk assessment. It will provide a detailed analysis of the appliances used, the likelihood of an accident or injury occurring, and the environment in which they are used.
For instance, in wet environments, appliances have a greater chance of becoming live and causing short circuits and electric shocks.
The law states that all PAT tests must be conducted by a competent individual who has:
Landlords must conduct both PAT testing and an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for their properties to ensure that all the installations are up-to-date and safe to use.
A PAT test assesses the health and overall condition of portable appliances, whereas an EICR presents findings of the property’s electrical system and fixed wiring.
Landlords must have their fixed electrical installations checked by a trained and qualified electrical contractor every 5 years or whenever there is a change in tenancy.
An EICR is a legal requirement for landlords under the Electrical Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020 that came into force on 1 June 2020. The regulations state that:
During a landlord electrical inspection, all the fixed parts of the installations are checked which include the consumer box, circuit boards, sockets, switches, and fixtures.
The inspector will look for:
An electrical inspection consists of two parts; a visual assessment and a detailed one after which an EICR is generated.
VISUAL ASSESSMENT
A visual assessment gives a quick analysis of how electrically safe the property is. A few visible warning signs of an overdue electrical inspection that can be identified through a visual assessment are:
EICRs are more detailed than a visual assessment and inspect the electrical installations for any faults that the latter could not identify.
Due to their detail and thoroughness, trained NICEIC approved electrical contractors use electrical inspection checklists to guide them through the EICR.
The lists help them assess whether the installations comply with the wiring regulations or not, and include pointers and notes related to each task with a brief explanation of what is required to be done to make it easier for the contractors to follow the SOPs.
If the inspections identify any faults with the system, the property is categorized into one of three codes, code C1, C2, and C3, depending on the level of danger there is.
If your property passes the electrical inspection, you will be provided with an EICR Certificate of Safety which states that all your electrical installations are safe and up-to-date.
The law states that landlords must have their electrical installations inspected by a trained and qualified electrical contractor to rule out any possibilities of electricity-related faults leading to injuries and accidents.
Also, though not specifically stated by the law, landlords are required to conduct regular PAT testing to ensure their appliances are working as they should.
At Calder Electrical Services, we offer a wide range of installation, maintenance, and testing services for all kinds of domestic, rented, commercial, and industrial properties.
Our experienced NICEIC registered electrical contractors are here to deliver a professional and high-quality service following the current wiring regulations.
Our testing and inspection services include:
It is a requirement under the Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public. This is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals, which can range from 3-5 years.
Our experts can run various tests to find faults in your commercial property’s electrical system through an EICR and help prevent any accidents and injuries by recommending remedial work to fix the faults ASAP.
It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5-10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.
Our experts can conduct a thorough visual assessment to identify any clear signs of damage along with a detailed EICR where each circuit is tested and inspected to make sure it is not deteriorating and is safe to use.
If you are currently private renting to a tenant, you will need to make sure that the electrical installations within the property are safe for use.
Our experts can provide a Landlords Safety Certificate to identify any issues and to make sure your property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations. You will need to carry out a landlord electrical inspection every 5 years or whenever there is a change in tenancy.
Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring such as ovens, kettles, and microwaves, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises. It is recommended that they are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.
Get in touch with us for our professional testing and inspection services to keep your property secure from the risks of faulty electrical installations and appliances.
Image by falconp4 from Pixabay
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all the electrical installations in your rented property are well-maintained and safe to use.
This includes all kinds of fixed and portable installations and appliances that are subject to deterioration upon time and prolonged use.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the inspection and testing of portable electrical appliances, and since every kind of property has these items and the inability to have them regularly checked can lead to faults and consequent damages, everyone must have it done on time, including landlords.
Read on to find out all about PAT testing for landlords, what they need to do, and how often the tests need to be performed.
Often during an electrical inspection, the main areas of focus are the hardwired systems and components such as the consumer box, circuit boards, sockets, switches, and fixtures.
The remaining electrical appliances are often overlooked and that is where PAT testing comes in. It is a safety measure taken to ensure that all the portable electrical appliances and equipment are safe to use.
A professional PAT test involves a certified electrical contractor visiting your rented property to perform a visual assessment of the appliances and then carrying out a proper test to check their condition.
Both types of assessments are equally important for a complete PAT test and to ensure that everything has been checked and is safe for the tenants to use.
Most faults and defects can be identified by a visual test by keeping an eye out for overheating, burning, or unusual odours, whereas some can only be identified through a thorough inspection.
After completing the test, the certified electrical contractor will attach a sticker to the appliance indicating the health of the system in terms of a pass or fail.
The next recommended date for the inspection is also written on the sticker for the landlord’s and electrician’s reference.
As mentioned above, PAT testing involves the testing of all electrical appliances that are not fixed, aka portable.
This can be a little confusing sometimes, therefore, as a general rule of thumb, all electrical appliances that can be moved and have a plug attached to them are included in the test.
The list can be long and usually includes:
The IET’s code of practice classifies all electrical appliances into several types for testing and inspection services. For PAT testing, we will look at the first two types; Class 1 and Class 2.
Class 1 appliances have basic insulation and rely on an earth connection for protection. They are made of metal, have a three-core cable, and have a metal earth pin. During a PAT test, earth continuity and insulation resistance tests are carried out. Typical examples of Class 1 appliances include refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, and toasters.
Class 2 appliances, also known as double insulated, have supplementary insulation and do not rely on an earth connection for protection. They have a plastic case and a double-box symbol on the rating plate. During a PAT test, just the insulation resistance test is carried out. Typical examples of Class 2 appliances include televisions, computers, and photocopiers.
There are currently no strict legal regulations which state that you must conduct regular PAT testing for your portable electrical appliances as part of your responsibilities as a good landlord.
The government, however, has put special emphasis on having the appliances and installations maintained and in good working condition, and the best way to go about that is through PAT testing.
Many insurance companies expect you, as a landlord, to perform regular PAT tests that ensure that all your appliances are well-maintained and safe to use, and do not pose any serious threats to the safety of life and property.
PAT testing also helps landlords stay compliant with several regulations such as:
Since PAT testing is not a legal requirement, why do landlords need to have it done? The answer is simple. Carrying out a professional PAT test on your appliances helps make your rented property a safer place for your tenants, and it makes you a good landlord and a great person.
As a landlord, you have a certain responsibility towards your tenants and a PAT test, among other safety inspections, helps you fulfil that responsibility.
A majority of the fire-related incidents that the Fire and Safety Services are called out to are caused due to electrical fires. How do these fires erupt? Due to faulty equipment and installations.
Fires are deadly and can cause substantial loss to both lives and property. Landlords must play their part in minimizing this risk by making all their appliances fit and safe for use.
PAT testing tests the items that are not part of the fixed wiring and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises. It is recommended that items are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and use of the appliance.
Some appliances need to be tested more frequently than others and to determine how often it must be done, you should bear in mind a few different factors such as:
The best way to determine how often to perform testing on your rented property is to conduct a thorough risk assessment. It will provide a detailed analysis of the appliances used, the likelihood of an accident or injury occurring, and the environment in which they are used.
For instance, in wet environments, appliances have a greater chance of becoming live and causing short circuits and electric shocks.
The law states that all PAT tests must be conducted by a competent individual who has:
Landlords must conduct both PAT testing and an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for their properties to ensure that all the installations are up-to-date and safe to use.
A PAT test assesses the health and overall condition of portable appliances, whereas an EICR presents findings of the property’s electrical system and fixed wiring.
Landlords must have their fixed electrical installations checked by a trained and qualified electrical contractor every 5 years or whenever there is a change in tenancy.
An EICR is a legal requirement for landlords under the Electrical Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020 that came into force on 1 June 2020. The regulations state that:
During a landlord electrical inspection, all the fixed parts of the installations are checked which include the consumer box, circuit boards, sockets, switches, and fixtures.
The inspector will look for:
An electrical inspection consists of two parts; a visual assessment and a detailed one after which an EICR is generated.
VISUAL ASSESSMENT
A visual assessment gives a quick analysis of how electrically safe the property is. A few visible warning signs of an overdue electrical inspection that can be identified through a visual assessment are:
EICRs are more detailed than a visual assessment and inspect the electrical installations for any faults that the latter could not identify.
Due to their detail and thoroughness, trained NICEIC approved electrical contractors use electrical inspection checklists to guide them through the EICR.
The lists help them assess whether the installations comply with the wiring regulations or not, and include pointers and notes related to each task with a brief explanation of what is required to be done to make it easier for the contractors to follow the SOPs.
If the inspections identify any faults with the system, the property is categorized into one of three codes, code C1, C2, and C3, depending on the level of danger there is.
If your property passes the electrical inspection, you will be provided with an EICR Certificate of Safety which states that all your electrical installations are safe and up-to-date.
The law states that landlords must have their electrical installations inspected by a trained and qualified electrical contractor to rule out any possibilities of electricity-related faults leading to injuries and accidents.
Also, though not specifically stated by the law, landlords are required to conduct regular PAT testing to ensure their appliances are working as they should.
At Calder Electrical Services, we offer a wide range of installation, maintenance, and testing services for all kinds of domestic, rented, commercial, and industrial properties.
Our experienced NICEIC registered electrical contractors are here to deliver a professional and high-quality service following the current wiring regulations.
Our testing and inspection services include:
It is a requirement under the Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public. This is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals, which can range from 3-5 years.
Our experts can run various tests to find faults in your commercial property’s electrical system through an EICR and help prevent any accidents and injuries by recommending remedial work to fix the faults ASAP.
It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5-10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.
Our experts can conduct a thorough visual assessment to identify any clear signs of damage along with a detailed EICR where each circuit is tested and inspected to make sure it is not deteriorating and is safe to use.
If you are currently private renting to a tenant, you will need to make sure that the electrical installations within the property are safe for use.
Our experts can provide a Landlords Safety Certificate to identify any issues and to make sure your property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations. You will need to carry out a landlord electrical inspection every 5 years or whenever there is a change in tenancy.
Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring such as ovens, kettles, and microwaves, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises. It is recommended that they are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.
Get in touch with us for our professional testing and inspection services to keep your property secure from the risks of faulty electrical installations and appliances.
