07576 584901Testmasterinfo@gmail.com 24/7 online enquiries About Services Areas ReviewsOur WorkSocialContact07576 584901Request a Free Quote Home/Blog/PAT testingPAT testing # Does a landlord need PAT testing? Supplied appliances in London rentals By Test Master UK6 November 20265 min read Service illustration: pat testingLandlords need to manage the safety of electrical appliances they supply, but that does not mean every rented home has a universal annual PAT testing requirement. For landlords in Greenford, Ealing and across London, the starting point is the property inventory, the condition and use of the equipment, and any applicable licence or other requirements. This guide focuses on deciding which supplied appliances need attention and what to agree before arranging a visit. ## Is PAT testing a legal requirement for landlords? In England, the rented-sector electrical safety regulations distinguish the fixed installation from appliances supplied with the property. Government guidance recommends that landlords regularly check supplied electrical appliances and consider portable appliance testing. It does not impose the same universal PAT interval on every appliance or tenancy. An appliance working when plugged in is not, by itself, evidence that it is safe. Appropriate visual inspection, maintenance and electrical testing where needed can help identify defects. A dated report can support your records, but a PAT certificate is not the only possible evidence of maintenance and does not guarantee future safety or automatic legal compliance. Check requirements applying to the particular property, including any HMO licence conditions and relevant insurance or management arrangements. This article covers England; do not assume the same rules apply throughout the UK. ## Which appliances should be included? Start with equipment you supply: a fridge, washing machine, microwave, kettle, vacuum cleaner, television or lamp may all need to be considered. Record where each item is located and how it is connected. An inventory helps avoid overlooking shared equipment or transferring an old result to a replacement appliance. Not every item is assessed in the same way. A hardwired cooker or other permanently connected equipment needs its inspection scope clarified with a competent person; do not assume every white good belongs in an ordinary plug-in PAT visit. Detachable leads and accessories may also need identification. Tenant-owned equipment should be distinguished from landlord-supplied items. Agree any inspection access and responsibility rather than assuming the landlord can test personal belongings without consent. Reported hazards still need an appropriate response, especially where they affect shared areas or the installation. - Identify supplied items and their locations. - Separate tenant-owned and shared equipment. - Describe hardwired or specialist appliances before booking. - Update the inventory when equipment is replaced. ## What if the property is unfurnished? An unfurnished description does not necessarily mean no electrical equipment is supplied. Check whether the tenancy includes white goods, a cooker, a washing machine or communal cleaning equipment. Decide the scope from the actual inventory rather than the marketing description. If no appliances are supplied, there may be no landlord-supplied plug-in equipment to include in a PAT visit. That does not remove responsibilities concerning the fixed electrical installation or other relevant property safety requirements. ## Do HMO landlords need annual PAT testing? HMO management duties include keeping supplied electrical appliances in a safe condition. A local authority licence may also specify inspection, testing or evidence requirements. Read the actual conditions for the property rather than relying on a general claim that every London borough requires an identical annual test. Where a licence specifies an interval, plan around it and retain the required evidence. If the wording is unclear, ask the licensing authority or obtain appropriate advice. A routine testing appointment is not a substitute for acting promptly on damaged equipment or reported faults. ## How often should supplied appliances be checked? There is no universal 12-month or 24-month schedule suitable for every rental appliance. Review the equipment type, use, condition, manufacturer information, previous findings and applicable requirements with a competent person. Shared or frequently moved equipment can present different risks from equipment that remains in one protected location. A tenancy change is a useful opportunity to review the inventory, visible condition and unresolved defects. It is not a universal legal trigger for a full electrical test of every supplied item. New equipment, damage, repairs or a reported fault may require attention before the next planned visit. Visible cable damage, cracked casings or signs of overheating should not be left until a renewal date. Prevent unsafe use and obtain competent advice. Routine checks should not involve dismantling appliances or opening electrical connections without suitable competence. ## PAT testing and EICR testing are separate EICR testing assesses the fixed electrical installation, including wiring and circuits. PAT testing concerns the agreed appliance and equipment scope. A satisfactory installation report does not make a damaged kettle safe, and an appliance pass does not establish the condition of the socket circuit. For private rented homes covered by England's electrical safety regulations, the installation must be inspected and tested at least every five years, or sooner if the report requires it. Arrange residential EICR testing separately from appliance checks and keep outstanding actions clearly identified. ## What records should landlords keep? Keep an identifiable inventory, inspection and test findings, the visit date and any limitations or exclusions. Record what happened to defective items: removal, replacement or repair and any appropriate checks before reuse. A report is most useful when it connects a finding to a completed action. Check the retention requirements in your licence, policy or management arrangements. Do not assume a universal five-year PAT record rule or that holding a certificate guarantees insurance cover. Retain useful maintenance history so the next review can take previous findings into account. ## Arrange landlord PAT testing in Greenford and London Before asking for a quote, provide the property address, approximate appliance count, inventory and any licence conditions. Explain whether the premises are occupied and who can authorise access or disconnection. Confirm the agreed scope, reporting, price and arrangements for failed items before attendance rather than assuming a particular turnaround or pricing package. Discuss PAT testing for landlord-supplied appliances, or visit our local pages for PAT testing in Greenford and PAT testing in Ealing. Appliance checks should sit alongside the property's installation and wider safety arrangements, not replace them. - Check supplied equipment against the inventory. - Read the property's actual HMO licence conditions where applicable. - Agree appropriate inspection and testing intervals. - Keep appliance and installation reports separate. - Record and close defect actions promptly. ## Sources and further reading - GOV.UK: Electrical safety standards in rented homes - HSE: Portable appliance testing FAQs - HSE: Maintaining portable electrical equipment - GOV.UK: Houses in multiple occupationGeneral guidance for premises in England, checked on 6 November 2026. Requirements depend on your property, systems and applicable conditions. Follow competent advice, current official guidance and your local authority's requirements. ## In this guide - Is PAT testing a legal requirement for landlords? - Which appliances should be included? - What if the property is unfurnished? - Do HMO landlords need annual PAT testing? - How often should supplied appliances be checked? - PAT testing and EICR testing are separate - What records should landlords keep? - Arrange landlord PAT testing in Greenford and London ## Need testing for your premises? Greenford-based electrical and fire safety services across London. Get a free quote 07576 584901 ## Related guides All guides PAT testing · 3 min read ## PAT testing in an HMO: a practical guide for landlords Identify landlord-supplied appliances, plan risk-based PAT testing and keep useful HMO safety records alongside your EICR testing report. 29 October 2026 PAT testing · 2 min read ## How often should PAT testing be done? A risk-based guide Plan PAT testing frequency using equipment type, working conditions and previous results, rather than assuming one annual interval fits everything. 26 October 2026 EICR testing · 2 min read ## EICR testing and PAT testing: what is the difference? Understand what EICR testing and PAT testing each cover, which records they produce and how landlords and businesses can plan both without confusion. 17 October 2026 Electrical and fire safety compliance testing for businesses, property managers and landlords across London and Greenford. 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