The rules for landlords in UK are more specific – see below. 

Landlords & PAT testing

All appliances provided by the landlord also need to be tested annually.

Private landlords are responsible for ensuring that an electrical safety inspection of their property is carried out by a registered electrician at least every five years, to ensure their properties are electrically safe. This also needs to take place before the start of any new tenancy. The electrical inspection involves two elements:

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).

Anything that fails to pass the inspection is replaced or repaired immediately.

What does PAT Testing involve?

In order to establish the safety and suitability of your electrical appliances, the electrician (or another competent person) will carry out a visual inspection of the appliance, its plug and lead. For Class I equipment the electrician will also inject test signals into the cable and appliance to ensure their integrity. Landlords need to ensure their properties are safe through regular safety inspections. This means carrying out a safety test prior to every new tenancy and at least every 5 years.

Landlord Electrical Safety Certificates: 

In order to comply with the Housing Act 2006, landlords in the UK , need to ensure their properties are safe through regular safety inspections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Landlords Electrical Safety Report?

In order to comply with the Housing Act 2006, landlords need to ensure their properties are safe through regular safety inspections. 

Anything that fails to pass the inspection is replaced or repaired immediately.

What happens during a landlord's EICR Inspection?

• Perform test for equipment overloads
• Check if bonding and earthing comply with current regulations.
• Test for potential fire or shock hazards
• Checking for defective electrical installations
• Test equipment is safe
• Visual inspection of accessories.
• Test and inspect of distribution equipment.
• Advice on immediate issues onsite.
• Preparation and completion of EICR report and findings.
• Advised Remedial works coding schedule.
• Client discussion to explain report and findings.

We carry out landlord EICR inspections across Surrey. Just contact us to arrange a test.

What are the potential outcomes of a landlord's EICR test?

After the test has been completed, our testing engineer will produce a report for you. This will detail any damages, deterioration, defects or other dangerous conditions. It will also indicate if anything doesn’t match the present day safety standards that may put people at risk.

Should the EICR test come back as negative, the EICR will be classed as “unsatisfactory.” This means that work needs to be done, without delay, to remove the risk to those living or working at the property. As well as returning an “unsatisfactory” result, the report will specifically detail which electrical system(s) failed the test. Any remedial work required is classified using the following codes:

• C1 – ‘danger is present’, risk of injury is likely and immediate action is required.
• C2 – potentially dangerous and remedial action is needed urgently.
• C3 – improvement to your electrical system is recommended.
• FI  -  Further investigation required.

(C3 is the only classification code that can appear on a report and still pass the EICR test)

Once your electrical system has passed the inspection, and any urgent remedial work has been completed, you will be provided with a satisfactory EICR report. While this gives you peace of mind about the safety of your electrics, it is important for your business to keep a copy of this report safe, in case you need it in the future.

How often does a landlord's EICR need to take place?

Guidelines for the frequency of EICR testing:

• Every 5 years and
• Prior to new tenants moving in

If you’re a landlord or letting agent, and are unsure about whether or not you need an EICR, please get in touch.

Are landlords required to have an EICR required by law?

 In the case of rented properties, electrical safety certificates (which include Portable Appliance Testing – PAT Testing certificates) are mandatory before the property can be let.

How often do landlords need to have a PAT test?

All appliances provided by the landlord need to be tested annually.

What should landlords receive after the PAT test?

Following portable appliance testing and inspection, they should receive a report that contains the following as a minimum:

• An inventory containing each appliance type, name, location and description.
• A full set of test results for each appliance tested
• A full list of any failed items with an explanation of their failure.

A visible pass or fail label on each appliance detailing the inspection date, next test due and the inspector’s signature.

If you are not technically aware, then the contractor / competent person who carried out the inspection and testing should be happy to talk through your report with you and advise you of any further action required.

We carry out PAT Testing for landlords & letting agents across Surrey. We are always happy to talk through your report, plus advise of any further action required. Just contact us to arrange a test.