Is portable appliance testing mandatory?

No. The law simply requires an employer to ensure that their electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger. It does not say how this should be done or how often. Employers should take a risk-based approach, considering the type of equipment and what it is being used for.

Is it a legal requirement for PAT testing?

Top PAT Testing FAQs There is no legal requirement as a landlord to carry out PAT testing, but it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your tenants by providing safe living conditions and PAT testing is a great way to manage electrical related risks.

What’s the law on PAT testing?

PAT testing law requires that all landlords, employers and even self-employed individuals make sure that their portable electrical appliances are safe and are suitable and used for the purposes intended. PAT testing is done to ensure that all electrical equipment that is classified as “portable” is deemed safe for use.

Is PAT testing a legal requirement in the UK for landlords?

Is PAT testing a legal requirement for landlords? Portable Appliance Testing is not an official legal requirement for landlords in England and Wales, however, it is considered best practice. The government state that landlords must make sure “the electrical system is safe” and “all appliances they supply are safe”.

Does PAT testing need to be done every year?

Is PAT testing required annually? PAT testing does not have specific frequency requirements and instead it is recommended based on factors including the location, frequency, and type of equipment. Portable equipment such as extension leads within Offices, Hotels, and Shops should be tested every 24 months.

How much does a landlord electrical certificate cost?

A Landlord Electrical Safety Report Certificate is technically a report but is generally referred to as a certificate. The typical cost ranges from £100 to £230 for a flat, £150 to £300+ for a house depending on the size, reasonable wiring which will normally take around 2 to 4 hours.

Is Legionella testing a legal requirement for landlords?

There is a legal duty for landlords to assess and control the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria, but Health and Safety law does not require landlords to produce or obtain, nor does HSE recognise, a ‘Legionnaires testing certificate’.

Do you need to be an electrician to do PAT testing?

Did you know that you don’t have to be a qualified electrician in order to PAT test? As long as you’re deemed competent to do so, absolutely anyone can check electrical appliances for safety. Previous electrical training is not essential.

How much does PAT testing cost?

On average, PAT testing costs between £1 and £3 per item. This is for 50 appliances or less. If you have between 50 and 100 items, you could save money with a bulk testing rate of between £1 and £2 per item.

What do you need to know about portable appliance testing?

There are many common myths about portable appliance testing (PAT) – find out the key facts about the inspection and testing of portable electrical equipment here. What is portable appliance testing? Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.

How often do I need to test my electrical appliances?

However, the Regulations do not specify what needs to be done, by whom or how frequently (ie they don’t make inspection or testing of electrical appliances a legal requirement, nor do they make it a legal requirement to undertake this annually). How frequently do I need to test my electrical appliances?

What kind of appliances can be tested for Pat?

A usual ‘rule of thumb’ for PAT testing is that anything that has an electrical plug and can be moved should be tested. Larger appliances such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and dishwashers, may seem like a fixed appliance, but for testing purposes, they are considered portable because they have a plug.

Is it compulsory for landlords to have their appliances tested?

For landlords maintaining legal requirements it is not compulsory for them to have all appliances tested, but they do need to show a “duty of care” and most letting agents recommend that a test certificate is obtained.