What are Portable Appliance Tests (PATs) and when do they need to be carried out? The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 states that any electrical appliance(s) connected to the mains electricity supply supplied with rental accommodation must be safe. Bed sits, apartments, houses, holiday homes, boats and caravans that are let out as a business activity and contain portable appliances such as fridges, freezers, washing machines, toasters, kettles, microwave ovens (additional tests for these are also required), televisions, vacuum cleaners and any garden equipment are all affected. All portable appliances must have had some form of electrical safety checks carried out prior to the let. It does not matter whether these items are second hand or brand new; the same regulations apply.

LME Move carries out routine PATs across the UK on a regular basis for landlords and letting agents. Regularly repeated PATs ensure that the appliances tested are safe for use over the course of their life span and safeguards landlords. Under the Consumers Protection Act 1987 failure to comply with the electrical regulations may constitute a criminal offence. It carries a maximum penalty on summary conviction of a £5000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment. In addition landlords can be sued in Civil Law under the duty of care for failure to ensure tenants safety and face claims for damages. With LME Move all records of your PAT tests are sent to you directly and also stored via our secure, online ordering and tracking platform allowing you to evidence a fully auditable trail that due diligence has been carried out.