PAT – Portable Appliance Testing is the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.  An electrical engineer will examine the equipment and test to secure there are no defects.

PAT tests are compulsory as of 1 July 2020, where a landlord provides electrical appliances as part of a tenancy.  The appliances have to be maintained in a safe condition so as to not cause harm to the tenant.  Failure to do so could lead to the landlord being sued for negligence.

What is a portable appliance?

Any item that can be moved and usually unplugged from a power supply ie a kettle, or fridge, washing machine.

When looking at your PAT you need to consider the following points:

• Fraying or cuts or heavy wear to the lead
• Damage to the plug ie bent pins
• Is there tape to the lead to join leads together?
• Visible wires where the lead joins the plug
• Any loose parts or screws
• Signs over overheating, burn marks or scorching on the plug
• Is the environment wet or dusty?
• Cables trapped under heavy furniture or in-floor boxes.

Private landlords must ensure the safety of all electrical appliances at the start of every tenancy.

Practical advice for the residential landlord.

 

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