As a responsible landlord, it’s your duty to make sure your property is safe for your tenants. Whether you’re a commercial or private landlord, maintaining safety standards on your property is a must.
Around a quarter of accidental fires are caused by faulty appliances or leads. Regular inspection and maintenance of electrical appliances can help prevent these accidents, ensuring appliances are working as they should.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is one of the simplest measures landlords can take to help protect tenants and their properties.
Learn more about PAT testing and your responsibilities as a landlord to help maintain safe properties for your tenants.
PAT testing is the process of testing electrical appliances for faults. Regular PAT testing helps ensure that appliances are safe to use, and are used by businesses, landlords and individuals to help maintain electrical safety in their property.
With the right training and knowledge, anyone can be a PAT tester. According to health and safety guidance, PAT testing must be carried out by someone who is deemed competent.
As of 1 June 2020, all landlords are legally required to make sure the electrical installations in their rented properties are safe.As part of the guidance, landlords must ensure that ‘electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at an interval of at least every 5 years.’ PAT testing can satisfy this requirement and is the preferred way to conduct these checks for many landlords.
Some of the main benefits of PAT testing include:
PAT testing can give both tenants and landlords reassurance, ensuring electrical appliances are safe to use within rental properties.
Any appliances or electrical items that you provide as part of your property should be PAT tested. This generally applies to anything with a plug. Some common items that landlords should PAT test include:
Check through all ofthe items that are included within your property and are listed in your inventory. Remember that any items new items or items that are replaced during the tenancy will also need PAT testing.
You may wish to keep a log of the appliances PAT tested within each property to make sure you keep everything up to date.
There are no requirements for tenants to PAT test their own electronics. They may wish to do so for their own peace of mind, but it is not a requirement under any tenancy agreement.
While tenants don’t need to test their personal electrical items, you should let them know who to contact if an electrical item becomes damaged or they suspect there’s a fault with an item.
There is no specific guidance around how often PAT testing should be carried out by landlords. However, it is good practice to test appliances at the beginning of a new tenancy or every year. Small appliances such as kettles should be tested every two years, while larger appliances like washing machines can be tested every four years.
As part of these inspections, you may wish to carry out other checks, such as fire extinguisher testing.
It’s helpful to label appliances that have been tested with the date the test was carried out and the date when the next inspection is due.
With phs Compliance, you can benefit from professional PAT testing that ensures all your appliances have been properly tested for electrical faults. We are one of the UK’s leading PAT test providers, with 160 qualified electrical engineers conducting tests for clients all over the UK.
Our expert PAT testing services give landlords peace of mind, ensuring all appliances are carefully checked so that you can help provide safe accommodation for tenants. Our services will help you fulfil any legal obligations, in addition to best practice for landlords. Regular inspections can help keep your property safe, preventing fires that could be caused by faulty electrical equipment.
With phs Compliance, PAT testing is carried out at a time that’s convenient for you. Find out more about our PAT testing services or get in touch to receive a free quote.
To learn more about our what Compliance offers, to get a quote, or simply to ask a query, please feel free to contact us now!
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