Checks for the equipment you provide
Portable Appliance Test (PAT)
Define which electrical appliances need checking, from a furnished flat’s kettle to equipment used in shared areas.
WHAT IT INVOLVES
Know what you’re asking for.
Portable appliance testing considers electrical equipment through visual inspection and appropriate tests. The useful starting point is an item list, together with how and where each appliance is used. This helps the provider propose a suitable scope. A test of an appliance does not assess the fixed wiring that supplies it.
What to discuss in the scope
- An agreed list of appliances and equipment to be inspected.
- Visual checks and testing appropriate to the equipment in scope.
- A record of the items checked and the findings, in the format agreed in the quote.
Before the visit
- Estimate the number of items and separate your equipment from occupants’ belongings.
- Make the agreed items and their usual leads available for inspection.
- Mention heavy, built-in or hard-to-reach appliances before the visit is arranged.
Worth knowing
Repairs, replacement appliances and fixed-installation testing need separate agreement. The quote should confirm item numbers, exclusions and any access needs. Pricing and provider availability depend on that scope.
Further reading: HSE guidance on portable appliance testing ↗. Guidance checked 17 October 2026.
Your questions, answered.
Do all items need the same test?
No. The appropriate checks depend on the type of equipment and its use. The provider should explain the proposed approach.
Can I include a tenant’s own appliances?
Identify whose equipment it is and arrange permission before adding it to the list. Only the agreed items form part of the visit.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Ready to discuss your property?
Add the service to your enquiry and include the details we’ll need.