Can I PAT test my own holiday let appliances?
You can, and should, do regular visual checks on the appliances in your holiday let yourself. Full PAT testing with a tester needs training and the right equipment, and in Scotland your licence needs a proper PAT report. In England and Wales PAT testing is not a legal requirement, but keeping appliances safe is.
What the law actually says
HSE is clear that the law does not require PAT testing as such. It requires the electrical equipment you provide to be kept in a safe condition, and it expects a sensible, risk-based approach. In Scotland it is different: a PAT report on the appliances you supply, no more than 5 years old, is a mandatory condition of a short-term let licence.
The checks you can do yourself
HSE says a sensible person with enough knowledge can carry out visual inspections, and most faults show up that way. At each changeover, or at least regularly, look at every appliance you provide for:
- damaged, cut or frayed leads, or tape covering a repair
- cracked or broken plugs, or bent pins
- scorch marks or a burning smell
- loose cables where the lead goes into the plug or the appliance
- signs of water getting in, such as on a kettle base or bathroom heater
Anything that fails a visual check should come out of use straight away, before the next guests arrive.
When you need a trained tester
Combined inspection and testing, the "PAT test" most people mean, uses a tester to check things you cannot see, such as earth continuity and insulation. HSE says it needs the right equipment and the knowledge to interpret the results. Buying a basic tester does not give you that. If you want a record your insurer, letting agent or council will accept, and certainly for a Scottish licence, use someone with PAT training.
What about new appliances?
New appliances do not need testing. HSE says new equipment should be supplied safe, so a quick visual check for damage is enough. Add each one to your appliance list so it is included next time.
Keeping costs down
PAT testing usually costs about £1 to £3 per item, often with a £60 to £100 minimum. Book it on the same visit as your electrical installation report (EICR) to save a call-out, and keep a simple list of what you provide so nothing is missed.
HostSorted keeps your PAT and electrical records with each property, reminds you before they are due, and lets your cleaner report a faulty appliance from their phone.
Related guides
Official sources
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so check the official sources before you act.