PAT Testing

PAT Testing London — Certified Portable Appliance Testing for Landlords

Professional portable appliance testing for London landlords, HMOs, and commercial premises. Fixed pricing, same-day certificates, qualified engineers. Covering all 32 boroughs across London and the M25.


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The Basics

What Is Portable Appliance Testing?

Portable Appliance Testing — commonly known as PAT testing — is a formal inspection and electrical testing process applied to moveable electrical equipment. Specifically, it covers any appliance connected to the mains electricity supply via a plug.

The inspection verifies that each appliance is safe to use and that its earth connection, insulation, and wiring integrity meet the standard set out in the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (5th edition). In addition, all testing is carried out by a qualified and competent person — at London Electrical Checks, this means engineers trained to the City & Guilds 2377 qualification.

Furthermore, every appliance tested receives a colour-coded label — green for PASS, red for FAIL. As a result, you receive a detailed digital certificate the same day, listing every appliance, its test result, and the recommended retest date.

1

Visual Inspection

First, each appliance is inspected for physical damage: cracked plugs, frayed cables, exposed conductors, burn marks, signs of overheating, or incorrect fuse ratings.

2

Earth Continuity Test (Class I)

For Class I earthed appliances, a low-resistance test confirms the earth conductor provides a safe return path in the event of a fault. Consequently, any break in continuity is flagged immediately.

3

Insulation Resistance Test

Subsequently, a high-voltage DC test verifies that the insulation between live conductors and the appliance casing is intact and not degraded.

4

Functional Check & Labelling

Finally, the appliance is powered on to confirm normal operation, then labelled and recorded in the test register with a unique asset number.

Class I vs Class II Appliances

PAT testing procedures differ by appliance class. Therefore, your engineer will identify each appliance type before testing begins.

Class I

Earthed equipment. Relies on both insulation and an earth connection for protection. As a result, both an earth continuity test and insulation resistance test are required. For example: washing machines, fridges, electric kettles, irons, metal-body lamps, toasters.

Class II

Double-insulated equipment. No earth connection — instead, protection comes from reinforced insulation. Therefore, only an insulation resistance test is required. For example: most power tools, vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, desk lamps, laptop chargers.

Class III

Safety extra-low voltage (SELV). Operates at very low voltage via a transformer or battery. Minimal shock risk. Visual inspection only typically required.

PAT vs EICR — What’s the Difference?

PAT testing covers portable appliances (plugged-in equipment). In contrast, an EICR electrical certificate covers fixed electrical installations — consumer unit, wiring, sockets, and fixed equipment. Consequently, most London landlords require both certificates.



Compliance Requirements

Who Needs PAT Testing in London?

PAT testing obligations vary by property type and tenure. Here is what the duty of care means for each category of London property owner and operator.

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Private Landlords — Furnished Lettings

While PAT testing is not a named statutory requirement under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords who supply electrical appliances — white goods, lamps, televisions — have a clear duty of care to ensure those items are safe under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

  • Annual PAT testing recommended
  • Required at change of tenancy
  • Evidence of compliance protects against liability

🏘️

HMO Landlords & Operators

Houses in Multiple Occupation carry a higher compliance burden. Many London councils — including Newham, Haringey, Brent, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, and Hackney — include PAT testing as a condition of their HMO or selective licensing schemes. Failure to maintain a current PAT certificate can jeopardise licence renewal.

  • Annual PAT testing required in most HMO licences
  • Applies to all landlord-supplied appliances
  • High tenant turnover means frequent appliance checks are essential

🏢

Commercial Businesses & Offices

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 all create a duty for employers to maintain work equipment — including electrical appliances — in safe working order. PUWER requires regular inspection and, where appropriate, testing.

  • Every 1–2 years for low-risk offices
  • More frequently for construction, catering, and healthcare
  • Required for public liability insurance compliance

Residential PAT Testing

£59

1-10 items

£79

11-20 items

£99

21-40 items

Includes:


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Commercial PAT Testing

£79

1-10 items

£99

11-20 items

£119

21-30 items

Includes:


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Why Choose Us

Qualified Engineers. Trusted by London Landlords.

London Electrical Checks has provided property compliance certificates to residential and commercial properties across London for 15 years. Every PAT test is carried out by an engineer holding the City & Guilds 2377 qualification — the industry standard for in-service electrical inspection and testing.

🏅

City & Guilds 2377 Qualified Engineers

All PAT testing carried out by engineers certified to the City & Guilds 2377 In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment qualification. Ask for your engineer’s certificate number before booking — any legitimate contractor will provide it.

📋

IET Code of Practice Compliance

Every inspection is performed in full accordance with the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing (5th edition, 2023) — the definitive industry standard for PAT testing in the UK.

⚡

Part of a Full Compliance Suite

Alongside PAT testing, London Electrical Checks provides EICR certificates, fire risk assessments, gas safety checks, and EPCs — all from one provider, minimising tenant disruption.

📱

Digital Certificates — Same Day

Your PAT test certificate is issued digitally on the day of inspection in most cases, or within 24 hours. Certificates are formatted to satisfy HMO licence conditions and local authority compliance requests.

15+Years providing compliance certificates in London
32London boroughs covered, plus M25
24hrCertificate turnaround — most issued same day
£59Fixed price from — no hidden per-circuit fees

Book in under 2 minutes

Online booking available 24/7. Choose your date, time slot, and property type. Confirmation sent immediately.

Book Online Now
📞 Call 0131 381 1223


Service Area

PAT Testing Across All London Boroughs

London Electrical Checks provides PAT testing across all 32 London boroughs and the City of London, plus the M25 corridor.

Barking & Dagenham
Barnet
Bexley
Brent
Bromley
Camden
City of London
Croydon
Ealing
Enfield
Greenwich
Hackney
Hammersmith & Fulham
Haringey
Harrow
Havering
Hillingdon
Hounslow
Islington
Kensington & Chelsea
Kingston upon Thames
Lambeth
Lewisham
Merton
Newham
Redbridge
Richmond upon Thames
Southwark
Sutton
Tower Hamlets
Waltham Forest
Wandsworth
Westminster

Book online for instant confirmation, or call 0131 381 1223 to confirm availability at your specific postcode. Morning (8am–1pm) and afternoon (1pm–6pm) slots available Monday to Saturday.



What Is Portable Appliance Testing?

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing) is a formal inspection and electrical testing process applied to moveable electrical equipment — any appliance connected to the mains via a plug. The inspection verifies that each appliance is safe to use and that its earth connection, insulation, and wiring integrity meet the standard set out in the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (5th edition).

The inspection is carried out by a qualified and competent person. At London Electrical Checks, all PAT testing is performed by engineers trained to the City & Guilds 2377 qualification, the industry-recognised standard for in-service inspection and testing.

Every appliance tested receives a colour-coded label — green for PASS, red for FAIL — and a detailed digital certificate is issued the same day listing every appliance, its test result, and the recommended retest date.


Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions — PAT Testing London

Everything landlords and businesses need to know about PAT testing in London.

PAT testing is not a named requirement under a single standalone piece of legislation for residential landlords. However, landlords who supply electrical appliances have a clear duty of care under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 to ensure those appliances are safe.

Furthermore, for HMO landlords across London, many local licensing schemes — including those operated by Newham, Haringey, Brent, Hackney, Southwark, and Tower Hamlets — explicitly require current PAT documentation as a licence condition. Similarly, for commercial employers, PUWER 1998 and the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 create a statutory obligation to maintain electrical equipment safely.

The IET Code of Practice (5th edition) sets recommended testing frequencies by environment. For HMOs and furnished rental properties with high tenant turnover, annual testing is therefore recommended. In contrast, for low-risk office environments, a 2–4 year cycle is typically appropriate.

Additionally, commercial kitchens, construction sites, and high-risk environments may require 3–6 monthly testing. Importantly, your PAT test certificate will state the recommended retest date specific to your property type.

PAT testing covers portable and transportable appliances — specifically, equipment connected to the mains via a plug. For example, this includes white goods (washing machines, fridges, dishwashers), kitchen appliances (microwaves, kettles, toasters), TVs, lamps, extension leads, vacuum cleaners, power tools, and computers.

However, fixed appliances such as built-in ovens, storage heaters, and hardwired lighting are not covered by PAT testing. Instead, these are assessed under an EICR electrical certificate.

Your certificate lists every appliance inspected with a unique asset number, the tests carried out, and the pass or fail result. In addition, it includes the date of inspection, the engineer’s name and qualification, and the recommended retest date.

Furthermore, each appliance receives a colour-coded label attached directly to it. As a result, digital certificates are issued same-day or within 24 hours, formatted for HMO licence and local authority compliance submissions.

A failed appliance receives a red FAIL label and must be taken out of service immediately. Consequently, the failure reason is recorded in the test register with the specific cause noted. Once the appliance has been repaired by a qualified electrician, it should be retested before returning to use.

Importantly, London Electrical Checks offers a free retest for any appliance repaired following a failure on the original inspection.

Class I appliances rely on both insulation and an earth connection for protection — therefore, earth continuity is tested alongside insulation resistance. Most kitchen appliances, irons, and metal-body lamps are Class I. In contrast, Class II (double-insulated) appliances have no earth — instead, reinforced insulation provides protection.

For example, most modern power tools, vacuum cleaners, and many lamps are Class II. The tests and pass/fail thresholds differ between the two classes — which is precisely why a qualified person must perform the inspection.

Yes. London Electrical Checks covers all 32 London boroughs, the City of London, and the M25 corridor. Specifically, this includes Barnet and Enfield in the north, Croydon and Bromley in the south, Hillingdon in the west, and Havering and Barking in the east.

To confirm your specific postcode, book online or call 0131 381 1223.

Duration depends primarily on the number of appliances. For example, a furnished one-bedroom flat with 10–15 appliances typically takes 1–1.5 hours. In contrast, a three-bedroom HMO with 25–40 appliances generally takes 2–3 hours. Commercial premises vary significantly depending on office workstations and specialist machinery.

As a result, we offer morning (8am–1pm) and afternoon (1pm–6pm) booking slots, Monday to Saturday.

Yes. London Electrical Checks accommodates portfolio bookings for landlords with multiple London properties. Moreover, we can arrange consecutive same-day visits across nearby addresses to minimise cost and disruption. Call 0131 381 1223 to discuss scheduling and pricing.