PAT Testing | Portable Appliance Testing

PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing)

Inspection and testing of plug-in electrical equipment for landlords, HMOs, offices, shops and other businesses, with labels and a full record of results.

NICEIC registered electricians

Costs agreed before work starts

Certification for completed work

Findings explained in plain English

Most electrical accidents involving equipment are caused by damaged leads, faulty plugs and worn-out appliances, not the fixed wiring. PAT testing (in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment) is a systematic way of finding those problems before they cause a shock or a fire.

We visually inspect and, where appropriate, test portable and plug-in equipment: kettles, heaters, IT equipment, extension leads, power tools, kitchen appliances and anything else that plugs in. Each item is labelled, and you receive a record of what was tested, the result and any items that failed, so you can show you are maintaining your equipment safely.

When to call us

You're a landlord supplying appliances in a furnished let or HMO
Your business, office, shop or salon needs equipment checked
Your insurer, landlord or licensing council has asked for PAT records
You've never tested your equipment, or the records are out of date
You run a holiday let, serviced accommodation or a shared workspace
Equipment is used in a harsh environment, such as a workshop or commercial kitchen

What's involved

1Formal visual inspection of the appliance, lead and plug
2Electrical tests appropriate to the equipment class (e.g. earth continuity and insulation resistance)
3Pass/fail label on each item
4Replacement of fuses and plugs where a simple repair resolves a failure
5A record of every item tested, its result and recommended retest interval
6A list of failed items so you can remove, repair or replace them

Good to know

Is PAT testing a legal requirement?

There's no law that says every appliance must be PAT tested at a fixed interval. However, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment at work to be maintained to prevent danger, and landlords must ensure appliances they supply are safe. PAT testing is the usual way to show you have done this.

How often should appliances be tested?

HSE and IET guidance recommend a risk-based approach: frequency depends on the type of equipment and how and where it's used. Hand-held equipment and items used in harsh environments need checking more often than IT equipment in an office.

PAT testing and EICRs are different

An EICR covers the fixed installation (wiring, consumer unit, sockets). PAT testing covers plug-in equipment. Landlords and businesses may need both.

How much does PAT testing cost?

Every job is different, so we price it once we understand what's needed. The main factors are:

Number of items to be tested
Type of equipment (e.g. IT, kitchen, power tools, extension leads)
Number of sites or properties
Access and whether equipment is in use during testing
Number of minor repairs (fuses, plugs) needed

We explain charges before we attend and agree the price of any work with you before it starts. Sending photos in advance helps us quote more accurately.

PAT Testing: FAQs

Do landlords need PAT testing?

In England there's no specific law requiring landlords to PAT test, but they must make sure any appliances they supply are safe. PAT testing with a written record is the simplest way to show that, and many HMO licensing councils, agents and insurers expect it.

What happens if an appliance fails?

It's labelled as failed and listed in your report. Where the fault is minor, such as a fuse or plug, we can often fix it on the spot with your agreement. Otherwise the item should be taken out of use and repaired or replaced.

Do new appliances need testing?

New equipment should still be visually checked before use. A formal test is generally not needed straight away, but the item should be added to your register so it's included in future inspections.

Will testing disrupt my business?

Each item only needs to be unplugged briefly. We can work around your staff, and IT equipment can be scheduled to avoid interrupting work.

PAT Testing — areas covered

Available across Surrey, Reigate, Crawley & Mid Sussex, South West London, Richmond, Twickenham & Staines, Sutton & Morden, South East London, Bromley, Croydon & North Surrey, Berkshire, West Kent, Sussex.