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Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) for landlords in Scotland: a practical guide
A practical guide to PAT testing for private landlords in Scotland, covering appliances, inspection intervals, records, and the difference between PAT testing and an EICR.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) for private landlords in Scotland: a practical guide
If you rent out a furnished or part-furnished property in Scotland, you’re responsible for making sure the electrical appliances you provide are safe to use. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is one part of the electrical safety checks that private landlords need to arrange.
This guide explains which appliances are covered, how PAT testing relates to an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), and what records to keep.
What are Scottish landlords required to arrange?
Before a property is let for the first time, a private landlord in Scotland must arrange an electrical safety inspection. This must be repeated at intervals of no more than five years.
The inspection includes two separate parts:
- An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for the property’s fixed electrical installation
- An in-service inspection and testing report for electrical appliances provided by the landlord, commonly known as a PAT report
The person carrying out the inspection may recommend that particular appliances are checked again sooner than five years. Follow the retest advice given for those items. There is no single annual PAT testing interval that applies to every appliance.
Which appliances are included?
The landlord’s checks cover electrical appliances provided with the property. These might include:
- Kettles, toasters and microwaves
- Fridges, freezers and washing machines
- Televisions
- Lamps and portable heaters
- Vacuum cleaners and hairdryers
The checks do not cover appliances that belong to tenants. If you are unsure whether a particular item should be included, ask the person arranging the inspection.
How is PAT testing different from an EICR?
An EICR assesses the fixed electrical installation, including things such as the wiring, sockets and consumer unit. PAT testing concerns electrical equipment and appliances supplied by the landlord.
One report does not automatically replace the other. The inspector should consider what has already been checked and record any landlord-provided appliances that still need inspection and testing.
What records and labels should I receive?
Keep the PAT report with the property’s other compliance records. It should identify the appliances inspected and record the results. The person carrying out the checks should also label tested items with the inspection date and the next test date.
Scottish landlords must provide tenants with copies of the relevant electrical safety reports before, or at the start of, the tenancy. Keeping the paperwork organised by property makes it easier to find the right records when a tenancy changes or an appliance needs attention.
What if an appliance fails?
If an appliance fails its inspection or test, don’t leave it available for use until the issue has been dealt with. The tester can explain the result and whether the item needs repair, further assessment or replacement.
Keep a note of what action was taken and update the property’s appliance records if an item is repaired or replaced.
What about short-term lets?
This guide covers private residential tenancies, rather than short-term lets. Short-term lets have separate electrical safety conditions under Scotland’s licensing scheme, and licensing authorities can add conditions to licences. Hosts should check the conditions that apply to their property and licence.
Arranging PAT testing with Certworks
You can use the Book Now button on the Certworks website to answer a few questions, receive a quote, check live availability and book an appointment. You’ll receive a booking confirmation straight away and a reminder 24 hours before the visit.
We send the invoice on the day the testing is completed. Once payment has been received, we provide the test certificate. If payment is made on the day of testing, you’ll receive the certificate that same day.
If you manage several properties, contact us with the addresses and any appliance information you have. We can discuss the quote, access arrangements and scheduling.
Certworks is based in Fife and currently carries out PAT testing across Fife, Dundee and Edinburgh. If your property is elsewhere in Central Scotland, get in touch, and we can confirm whether we cover your area.