The question of whether holiday rental PAT Testing is required is one we get asked quite often. Holiday let owners have a legal duty to ensure that their properties are safe for people staying in them. Part of this duty of care is ensuring the safety of all electrical appliances as well as electrical installations. A PAT test (otherwise known as a Portable Appliance Test, EECR, or Electrical Equipment Condition Report) is a recognised way to test the electrical safety of appliances and to demonstrate a duty of care.
So, is PAT testing a legal requirement?
Although PAT testing/EECR in itself is not a legal requirement, you are legally required to ensure that all electrical appliances provided to be used by tenants / guests are safe to use. If a guest was to use an electrical appliance and a safety issue incurred then you would need to demonstrate to your insurance company that you had taken all the appropriate actions to ensure that the item was safe to use. If you were able to present test records and certification, then your insurance is more likely to cover the incident. This is also the case in the event of an electrical fire in the premises.
What items require PAT testing ?
All electrical appliances that are fitted with a plug are required to be tested, including all kitchen appliances, visual/audio equipment and previously used spare items that could be brought into use at a later date (for example fans, heaters, lamps etc). Please note that appliances with a detachable power lead (e.g many televisions, electric fires) are tested as 2 separate items, this is because the leads could be interchanged between appliances etc. Common examples of appliances found in holiday lets are:
- Lamps, Hair Dryers
- Televisions, DVD Players, radio
- Kitchen appliances (toaster, kettle, fridge, freezer, dishwasher)
- Extension leads
- Electric Fire / Heaters
- Vacuum cleaner, steam cleaner
What if an appliance is less than 12 months old?
Historically items that were less than 12 months old were exempt from PAT testing. However, for several years now the PAT regulations have stated that all appliances should be tested at your next PAT test, irrelevant of age. This is due to the flood of electrical appliances on the market that do not comply to British Standards, although they are sold as though they do. We regularly find counterfeit appliances in workplaces and rental properties.
How do I arrange a PAT test at my holiday let?
Sense PAT Testing can travel to your property and carry out the PAT test at an agreed date and time to suit you, working around your bookings. Our engineers are happy to let themselves in using a keysafe or similar, or meet someone on site to gain access to the property. An experienced engineer will then visually and electrically test and inspect each appliance in the property and label it as tested and passed. We try to label items discretely near the plug top to avoid unsightly stickers in your property. If an appliance fails, then we will do what we can to repair the appliance where possible, otherwise we will label the appliance accordingly and notify the owner immediately. Test records are written down and then typed up over the next 5 working days and emailed across to the owner along with a test certificate and invoice.
Which areas do you cover?
We provide PAT Testing across the UK, from Cornwall to John O’Groats, but mainly work in the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. We have recently spent a lot of time PAT testing in Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold.
