Which Items Need to Be PAT Tested: A Guide for Home and Business

PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It is a safety check on electrical appliances with a plug.

A qualified tester runs two checks on each appliance:

• A visual inspection of the plug, cable, and casing
• An electrical test using a PAT testing device

Each appliance gets a pass or fail result. A pass means the item is safe to use. A fail means the item needs a repair or replacement before use.

Why PAT Testing Matters?

PAT testing protects people and property. It also protects you from legal and financial risk.

Here is why PAT testing matters for your home or business:

• It prevents electrical accidents and fires
• It keeps you compliant with health and safety law
• It keeps your insurance valid
• It protects your staff, tenants, or family from faulty equipment
• It gives you a paper trail if an accident happens

UK regulations that apply to PAT testing include the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Landlords and business owners hold legal responsibility for the electrical safety of appliances they supply.

Home PAT testing is not a legal requirement for owner occupied properties. Landlords carry legal responsibility for appliances they supply in a rental property.

If you rent out a property, test these items:

• Kettles, toasters, and microwaves
• Washing machines, tumble dryers, and dishwashers
• Fridges and freezers
• Televisions and set top boxes
• Table lamps and floor lamps
• Extension leads and multi socket adapters
• Irons and hairdryers left for tenant use
• Vacuum cleaners supplied with the property

If you sell an appliance with your property or supply it to a tenant, test it first. This applies to furnished and part furnished rentals.

Every workplace uses electrical equipment. As an employer, you hold a duty to keep this equipment safe under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Test these categories of business equipment:

Office equipment

• Computers, monitors, and laptops
• Printers, scanners, and photocopiers
• Desk lamps and phone chargers
• Extension leads and power strips

Kitchen and break room equipment

• Kettles, microwaves, and toasters
• Fridges and water coolers
• Coffee machines

Trade and industrial equipment

• Power tools and drills
• Portable heaters and fans
• Cleaning equipment
• Site lighting and generators

Retail and hospitality equipment

• Tills and card readers
• Kitchen appliances in cafes and restaurants
• Hair dryers and styling tools in salons

If your staff or customers touch an appliance, add it to your testing schedule.

Not every electrical item needs a formal PAT test. Fixed wiring and hardwired appliances fall under a different check called an Electrical Installation Condition Report, not PAT testing.

Skip PAT testing for these items:

• Light fittings wired directly into the mains
• Fixed electric heaters wired into the wall
• Built in ovens and hobs
• Extractor fans wired into the ceiling
• Mains wiring, sockets, and fuse boards

If an item plugs into a socket, test it. If an item connects straight to your fixed wiring, book an EICR instead.

How Often Should You PAT Test?

Testing frequency depends on the type of appliance and how often you use it. The Institution of Engineering and Technology publishes guidance for testing intervals by industry and risk level.

Use this table as a starting point:

• Construction site equipment: every 3 months
• Hire equipment: every 3 to 6 months
• High risk business equipment (kitchens, workshops): every 12 months
• Low risk office equipment (computers, printers): every 24 to 48 months
• Rental property appliances: every 12 to 24 months, or at every change of tenancy

Higher risk environments need more frequent checks. An appliance moved often, plugged and unplugged daily, or used outdoors wears down faster than a static office monitor.

What Happens During a PAT Test

A PAT test takes a few minutes per item. Here is what the process looks like:

1. The tester inspects the plug, cable, and casing for damage
2. The tester checks the fuse rating matches the appliance
3. The tester connects the appliance to a PAT testing device
4. The device measures earth continuity, insulation resistance, and leakage current
5. The tester records a pass or fail result and labels the appliance with the test date

Failed items get removed from use until repaired or replaced. You receive a full report listing every appliance tested and its result.

Who Can Carry Out PAT Testing?

UK law does not require a formal PAT testing qualification. It requires a competent person who understands electrical risk and knows how to use testing equipment correctly. Most landlords and business owners book a qualified engineer to ensure accuracy and a compliant paper trail. A professional PAT test gives you a certificate you can show to your insurer, your local authority, or a health and safety inspector.

Cost depends on the number of appliances, your property type, and your location. Small residential properties with a handful of appliances cost less than a full commercial kitchen with dozens of items. Nationwide Surveyors offers a bundled rate that combines PAT testing with an EICR from £129, and a three-service bundle with EICR, PAT testing, and a Gas Safety Certificate from £199. Bundling your compliance checks into a single visit reduces your cost per service and minimizes disruption to your tenants or staff.

Book Your PAT Test Today

Faulty appliances put people at risk and put your compliance at risk. Test every plug in appliance in your rental property or workplace on a regular schedule, and keep records ready for your insurer or local authority.

Nationwide Surveyors covers PAT testing for homes and businesses across the UK, with fast turnaround and digital certificates sent within 48 hours of your assessment. View our full range of services or order your PAT test online today.

Got a question before you book? Check our FAQ page for answers to common PAT testing questions, or call our team free on 0800 048 7474.