PAT testing in Harrow

Do landlords have to PAT test?

For a private let, the 2020 electrical safety regulations cover the fixed installation, not appliances, so PAT testing itself is not a legal requirement. That does not mean appliances can be ignored. Anything you supply has to be safe, and a dated test record is the simplest proof that you checked.

Two groups have firmer duties. A licensed HMO landlord must keep supplied appliances in a safe condition and give the council a declaration about them on request. Social landlords, since the rules were extended to them, must have any electrical equipment they provide checked at least every five years.

What a PAT test checks

The visual check catches most faults: a split or taped lead, a cracked plug, the wrong fuse, scorch marks, or a casing that is damaged. The electrical tests then confirm that the earth connection is sound on metal-cased appliances and that the insulation is not leaking current. Testing follows the IET code of practice for in-service inspection and testing, the same reference the government guidance gives social landlords.

How often appliances need testing

There is no fixed legal interval. The HSE’s guidance is that the law requires equipment to be maintained safely but does not say annual testing is needed; how often depends on the type of appliance and how it is used. A kettle in a busy shared kitchen takes far more wear than a lamp in a spare room. For a furnished let, between tenancies is a natural point to check, and booking it alongside the landlord EICR saves a second visit.

If an appliance fails

A failed item is labelled and should be taken out of use straight away. Many failures are a damaged plug or the wrong fuse and can be put right on the spot; others mean replacing the appliance. Either way it is listed on the record, so you can show what failed and what you did about it.