Is PAT testing a legal requirement?
There is no law that says every appliance must be tested every year. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 require employers to maintain electrical equipment so it is safe, and the HSE is clear that the frequency of inspection and testing should depend on the type of equipment and how it is used. PAT testing is the recognised way to show that maintenance is happening.
Landlords are not legally required to PAT test appliances they supply in private rented homes in England, but they must make sure anything they provide is safe, and many letting agents and insurers expect a record. Social landlords in England must check the electrical equipment they provide at least every five years. See how often PAT testing is required for suggested intervals.
What PAT testing includes
- Formal visual inspection of plugs, fuses, cables and casings
- Earth continuity, insulation resistance and, where appropriate, leakage current tests
- Pass/fail labels with retest dates on every item
- A digital asset register you can download at any time
- Replacement of plug tops and fuses on the day where safe to do so
PAT testing prices
| Environment | Per item | Example: 50 items |
|---|---|---|
| Low risk — office, retail, rented home | £2.20 | £110 |
| Medium risk — workshop, commercial kitchen | £2.80 | £140 |
| High risk — industrial, construction | £3.60 | £180 |
A minimum charge of £60 applies. Use the PAT calculator for your exact item count. Combining PAT with an EICR on the same visit reduces travel costs for landlords.