Last updated: October 2026. Written by the Citywise Property Solutions team, London.
PAT testing is not a legal requirement in itself. No UK law says appliances must be PAT tested or tested every year. The law does require employers, landlords and the self-employed to keep electrical equipment safe, and PAT testing is the most widely accepted way to prove that you have done so.
This guide explains the PAT testing regulations in plain English, what they mean for landlords and businesses, and what a sensible testing routine looks like in London.
Key facts at a glance
- No law names PAT testing or sets a fixed testing interval.
- The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment that could cause injury to be kept in a safe condition.
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends a risk-based approach: how often you test depends on the equipment and where it is used.
- Private landlords in England must have the fixed wiring inspected at least every 5 years. That inspection is an EICR, not a PAT test.
- Landlords must still make sure any appliances they supply are safe.
- Labels and records are not required by law, but they are your evidence if something goes wrong.
What is the legal requirement for PAT testing?
The legal requirement is to maintain electrical equipment so that it does not cause danger. The law sets the outcome and leaves the method to you. According to the HSE, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 do not say what must be done, who must do it or how often.
In practice, a regular programme of visual checks and portable appliance testing is how most organisations meet that duty and show it to insurers, councils and clients.
PAT testing regulations in the UK
These are the main laws behind PAT testing requirements.
| Law | Who it applies to | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 | Employers, the self-employed and employees | Electrical equipment that could cause injury must be maintained in a safe condition |
| Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 | Employers and anyone in control of premises | Protect employees and members of the public from risks, so far as reasonably practicable |
| Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 | Employers | Work equipment must be suitable, maintained and inspected where needed |
| Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 | Anyone supplying electrical equipment, including landlords supplying appliances | Equipment supplied must be safe |
| Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 | Landlords in England | Fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every 5 years |
Is PAT testing a legal requirement for landlords?
For private landlords in England and Wales, PAT testing is not a specific legal requirement. Two duties still apply:
- Appliances you supply must be safe. If you provide a kettle, fridge, washing machine or lamp, it must be safe at the start of the tenancy and stay safe.
- The fixed wiring must be inspected at least every 5 years. This is the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). It covers wiring, sockets and the consumer unit, and it does not cover portable appliances.
Landlord PAT testing fills the gap between those two duties. It gives you a dated record that every appliance you supplied passed a safety test.
When landlord PAT testing is effectively required
- HMO licences. Many London boroughs add licence conditions that require landlords to declare appliances safe or to provide test certificates. Check your own licence wording.
- Social housing in England. Social landlords who provide electrical equipment must have it tested.
- Insurance. Some landlord policies ask for evidence of appliance safety after a fire claim.
- Letting agents. Many agents ask for a PAT certificate before marketing a furnished property.
- Scotland. The rules are different. Scottish private landlords must have appliances they supply tested.
PAT testing requirements for businesses
Businesses must keep equipment safe under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The HSE advises a risk-based approach and says annual testing is not always necessary in low-risk environments.
The HSE gives two useful examples:
- A power tool on a construction site needs checking far more often than a lamp in a hotel bedroom.
- In a high street travel agent, computers and printers that were rarely moved were visually inspected every 5 years, while a heavily used vacuum cleaner was visually inspected every 6 months and tested after 12 months.
What a risk-based routine looks like
| Check | Who does it | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| User check | Staff or tenants | Damaged plug, frayed cable, burn marks, loose parts before use |
| Formal visual inspection | A competent, trained person | Plug wiring, fuse rating, cable grip, casing, signs of overheating |
| Combined inspection and test (PAT) | A competent person with test equipment | Earth continuity, insulation resistance and polarity, plus the visual inspection |
Who can carry out PAT testing?
The law requires a competent person. The HSE says a sensible member of staff with enough knowledge and training can do visual inspections in a low-risk setting. Combined inspection and testing needs more knowledge, the right test equipment and the ability to interpret the results.
Most landlords and small businesses use an external engineer because it gives an independent certificate with the tester’s details.
Do you need PAT labels and a certificate?
No law requires labels or records. The HSE notes that they are useful for monitoring your maintenance scheme and showing that one exists. A good PAT report includes:
- An asset register listing every appliance tested.
- The test results and a pass or fail for each item.
- The test date and the engineer’s name.
- A recommended retest date based on risk.
Do new appliances need PAT testing?
No. According to the HSE, new equipment should be supplied in a safe condition and does not need a formal inspection or test. A simple visual check for damage is enough.
What happens if you ignore electrical equipment safety?
There is no fine for missing a PAT test, because the test itself is not mandatory. The risk comes after an incident. If a tenant, employee or customer is injured by faulty equipment, you may need to show how you kept it safe. Without inspection records that is hard to do, and it can lead to enforcement action, prosecution or a refused insurance claim.
Frequently asked questions
Is PAT testing a legal requirement in the UK?
No. PAT testing is not named in UK law. The legal duty is to keep electrical equipment safe, and PAT testing is the standard way to meet and evidence that duty.
Is PAT testing a legal requirement for landlords?
Not for private landlords in England and Wales. Landlords must make sure supplied appliances are safe, and many HMO licences, insurers and letting agents ask for a PAT certificate as proof.
How often is PAT testing required?
There is no fixed interval in law. Frequency depends on the type of equipment and how it is used. Many landlords test at each change of tenancy or once a year for furnished lets.
Is annual PAT testing a legal requirement?
No. The HSE states that the law does not require testing every year. Annual testing is common practice, not a legal rule.
Is an EICR the same as a PAT test?
No. An EICR checks the fixed wiring, sockets and consumer unit. A PAT test checks portable appliances that plug in.
Does a landlord need PAT testing for an unfurnished property?
Only for appliances the landlord supplies, such as a cooker, fridge or washing machine. The tenant is responsible for their own appliances.
Can I do my own PAT testing?
Yes, if you are competent and have the right equipment. An independent certificate is usually easier to rely on with insurers and councils.
PAT testing near you in London
Citywise Property Solutions Ltd provides PAT testing for landlords, letting agents, offices and shops across London, including Croydon and South London. Every visit includes a visual inspection, electrical tests, pass labels and a certificate with a full asset register. We can combine PAT testing with your EPC in one visit.
Book PAT testing in London or contact our team on 07359 830749.
Related guides: What is a PAT test? and What certificates do landlords need in London?
Citywise Property Solutions Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 17026397. Office: 1 Bensham Lane, London, CR0 2RU.