PAT testing checks portable electrical appliances. It does not replace an EICR of the fixed installation. HSE is also clear that the law does not require an annual PAT test as such.
What the law actually says
HSE’s PAT FAQ states that the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment with the potential to cause injury to be maintained in a safe condition. The regulations do not say what must be done, by whom, or how often. They do not make inspection or testing of portable appliances a legal requirement, and they do not make annual testing a legal requirement.
Frequency depends on the equipment and the environment. A construction-site tool needs more attention than a lamp in a low-risk room. User checks and visual inspections catch many defects; combined inspection and testing needs a competent person with the right kit.
Landlords and furnished lets
A private landlord’s statutory EICR duty covers the fixed installation. Landlord-supplied kettles, lamps and white goods still need to be safe. Many agents ask for PAT records on furnished stock. That is a risk-based maintenance choice, not a substitute for the five-year EICR.
HSE notes there is no legal duty to label appliances or keep PAT records, though records help show a maintenance scheme exists. Safety Certificate lists residential PAT from £59 for 1–20 items and commercial bands from £79.
Frequently asked questions
What is PAT testing?
PAT testing checks portable electrical appliances. It does not replace an EICR of the fixed installation. Published prices start at £59 for a residential set of 1–20 items.
Is annual PAT testing required by law?
HSE says the Electricity at Work Regulations require equipment that can cause injury to be maintained in a safe condition. They do not specify annual PAT testing, who must do it, or a fixed interval.