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Why Landlords Need PAT (Portable Appliance Testing)

Government figures suggest that electrical faults are to blame for around 20% of all fires in UK homes. It is also estimated that at least 30 deaths in the UK each year can be traced to faulty appliances and wiring.

These figures are one of the main reasons that the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 was first introduced. Many landlords may believe that these regulations apply only to commercial property but, since 1997, it has been a legal requirement to ensure the safety of all electrical appliances that are supplied as part of a tenancy agreement.

What’s covered by the regulations?
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 states that, if you let any sort of residential accommodation for financial gain, you must ensure that any equipment supplied as part of the tenancy is safe to use.  This applies to all mains electrical equipment - from cookers to kettles, and from washing machines to microwave ovens - whether new or second-hand.

It’s important to note that each appliance is expected to be ‘safe’ at time the tenancy contract begins. That means that checking the safety of appliances should be carried out before the tenant moves in. Indeed, each appliance supplied should be listed on the tenancy agreement and a record made of when it was checked and who checked it.

Failure to comply with the safety regulations exposes landlords to fines, possible imprisonment, and the refusal of insurance companies to honour policies.

Obviously, the best way to ensure that appliances are safe - and to quickly and easily meet the regulations - is to have them tested by someone trained to use professional testing equipment and techniques that conform to industry standards. The most straightforward option is to use PAT - Portable Appliance Testing.

What is PAT?
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is an effective way to show that, as a landlord, you have met the obligations of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994. The qualified tester who carries out your PAT will examine each appliance and award it a ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ based on a series of checks. Each appliance will then be labelled clearly with an identification code or bar code, its pass/fail status, and the date it was checked (and a recommended date for its next check).

Appliances that fail the PAT will be labelled and must be removed for repair or destruction and replaced.

At present, there is no statutory period in which electrical safety inspections must be performed. However, if you put in place a regular PAT schedule, not only will you meet your legal obligations but you’ll also get the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve done everything possible to make sure your tenants remain safe.

In practical terms, the recommended frequency would be to schedule a PAT annually or before the start of a new tenancy, whichever comes first.

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