PAT Testing for UK Landlords 2026: Is It Legal?

Why PAT matters for landlords

If you supply electrical appliances (kettle, microwave, lamps, vacuum, etc.), you are expected to keep them safe and be able to show you took reasonable steps. That is separate from the EICR on your fixed wiring, but equally easy to forget across a portfolio.

Why landlords focus on PAT:

Tenant safety — faulty leads or Class I appliances can cause shock or fire; a PAT-style check plus visual inspection is strong evidence you did not ignore obvious risk.

Due diligence — if something goes wrong, dated records (who tested, when, pass/fail) matter as much as the test itself.

Insurance and agents — many policies and letting agents expect a documented schedule for supplied items, often annual on high-use kit unless your risk assessment supports longer gaps.

HMOs and furnished stock — more appliances and higher turnover usually means tighter discipline on retest dates and handover notes.

Tracking "last PAT" and "next due" per property stops PAT living in a separate spreadsheet from Gas Safety and EICR. LetCompliance is compliance software for exactly that pattern: we do not send PAT engineers — book a local competent person for the visit, then log the date and optional next due in Safety & PAT so it sits with your other deadlines.

Not legal advice. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ on detail; check your insurer and tenancy terms.

PAT vs EICR: what is the difference?

EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report): Inspects the fixed installation — wiring, consumer unit, circuits. Mandatory on a five-year cycle for private rented homes in England. See our EICR guide.

PAT (Portable Appliance Testing): Focuses on movable items the landlord supplies — kettles, toasters, microwaves, lamps, fans, vacuum cleaners, etc. Typically includes visual inspection, earth continuity, and insulation tests with a pass/fail record.

PAT does not replace an EICR. Both can be part of a sensible safety strategy.

Is PAT legally required for every landlord?

There is no single statute that says "landlords must PAT test annually" in all cases. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 apply to employers and duty holders in a broad sense; HSE guidance emphasises risk assessment and maintenance of electrical equipment so it stays safe.

For private landlords, the practical position is:

If you supply appliances, you should assess risk and maintain them

PAT by a competent person is a recognised way to demonstrate due diligence

Many insurers and agents expect 12-month retest intervals for high-use items; low-risk items may be on longer cycles if your risk assessment supports it

Document what you test, who did it, and when.

What appliances should landlords PAT test?

Typical furnished or part-furnished stock includes:

Kitchen: kettle, microwave, toaster (if provided)

Living areas: lamps, TVs (portable leads), extension leads you own

Cleaning: vacuum if supplied

White goods: some items are fixed or hard-wired — those fall under installation safety and EICR/maintenance, not "portable PAT" in the everyday sense

Tenant-owned equipment is usually the tenant's responsibility unless your agreement says otherwise.

Records, labels and tenancy handover

After testing, engineers often attach pass labels with dates. Keep a digital log (photos of labels, spreadsheet, or LetCompliance Safety & PAT) showing appliance description, location, test date, next due, and engineer details. On move-in, give tenants basic instructions (e.g. do not overload sockets) and ask them to report faults immediately.

If an appliance fails, remove it or repair before re-letting. Do not leave a failed item in service.

Track PAT next-due dates alongside Gas Safety and EICR

Treat PAT like any other repeating landlord duty: one row per supplied appliance (or a single "kitchen PAT bundle" note if you prefer), last test date, optional next due, and log it after your contractor leaves. You see EICR, Gas Safety, smoke/CO, and PAT entries in the same property view so nothing slips because it lived in a different tab.

LetCompliance is software only — you still book your PAT contractor or electrician; we help with follow-up and the audit trail.

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Frequently asked questions

Why should landlords track PAT testing for supplied appliances?

You have a duty to keep electrical equipment you supply in a safe condition. PAT-style checks by a competent person on a risk-based schedule are a recognised way to show due diligence. Tracking last test and next due dates per property — alongside your EICR and Gas Safety records — stops retests being missed and gives you a clear audit trail if an insurer or tenant asks.

Is PAT testing a legal requirement for all UK landlords?

There is no single UK law requiring every landlord to PAT test every year. The Electricity at Work Regulations require electrical systems and equipment to be maintained in a safe condition. Many landlords PAT test appliances they supply — kettles, microwaves, lamps — on a risk-based schedule, often annually, and keep records as evidence.

Is PAT the same as an EICR?

No — they cover different things. PAT testing checks portable appliances and their plugs and leads. An EICR inspects the fixed electrical installation: wiring, consumer unit and circuits. Assured shorthold tenancies in England need a valid EICR on a five-year cycle; PAT is separate good practice for supplied movable items.

Does LetCompliance carry out PAT testing or send PAT engineers?

No. LetCompliance is landlord compliance software for tracking dates, setting reminders and keeping records. Book a competent local electrician or PAT contractor for the physical test, then use the app to log the test date and schedule your next due reminder.