PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing)
Electrical safety testing of portable appliances (kettles, lamps, toasters) supplied with the tenancy. Not legally required for private rentals in England, but recommended good practice and sometimes required by insurers and HMO licences.
At a glance
- Required?
- No (private residential England)
- Recommended?
- Yes, annually for high-wear items
- HMO + some insurers
- Often required contractually
Full guide
Read the complete landlord guide on PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing)
Deadlines, fines and step-by-step compliance in our in-depth resource.
Open full guideWhy PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing) matters for landlords
PAT testing is the most over-sold "compliance" service in the PRS — it is not a legal requirement for a standard residential tenancy in England. It becomes contractually required for many HMOs (through the licence terms) and for some insurance products, and a lot of insurance claims are rejected where a faulty appliance is shown to have been untested. A simple annual visual inspection with a dated photo log is usually enough for general lets.
Related terms
Periodic Tenancy
A tenancy that continues from period to period (usually monthly) with no fixed end date. From 1 May 2026 all assured tenancies in England are periodic by default under the Renters Rights Act 2025. Tenants can end the tenancy with two months' notice.
Prescribed Information
A document landlords must give tenants within 30 days of receiving a deposit, alongside deposit protection. It tells the tenant which scheme holds the deposit, how to reclaim it and how to raise a dispute. Failure to serve it can result in a penalty of 1-3 times the deposit.
Property Redress Scheme
A government-approved ombudsman scheme for property-related complaints. Letting agents in England must be members of a redress scheme (The Property Ombudsman or Property Redress Scheme). The Renters Rights Act 2025 extends mandatory redress to private landlords.
Accelerated Possession
A fast-track court procedure used under a Section 21 notice in England and Wales. Abolished for new claims from 1 May 2026 because Section 21 no longer exists. Possession is now pursued under Section 8 using a specified ground.
AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy)
The most common form of private tenancy in England. From 1 May 2026 all existing ASTs converted to assured periodic tenancies under the Renters Rights Act 2025, and new fixed-term ASTs can no longer be created for most residential lets.
Arrears (Rent Arrears)
Unpaid rent that is past its due date. Ground 8 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (mandatory) requires at least 3 months of rent arrears under the Renters Rights Act 2025 (previously 2 months). Grounds 10 and 11 remain as discretionary grounds.