If you property is being let for the first time and you have not has the electrics and appliances checked you should have an Periodic Electrical Installation Report (Full wiring test) see below for more information. If you have already has the wiring tested in the last 3 years then an annual safety check is sufficient ? (please see below for more information)

Are your properties safe and legal? As you are aware, each gas and electrical appliance and installation in UK rented accommodation should be tested and certified safe. In an event of an accident you must be able to prove that all appliances were safe. The only way you can be absolutely sure they are safe is to subject each appliance to gas and electrical safety tests in order to get them certificated with an electrical and gas safety certificate issued by one of our specially-trained engineers.

Not only can you be fined for not having proved that each appliance is safe, you can also be fined for causing carbon monoxide poisoning in an event of a defective gas appliance. Landlords cannot ignore their liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence. Gas installations can leak deadly carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is undetectable: you can't see it, smell it or even taste it but it could injure you or even kill you if you breathe it in.

Electricity, too, is dangerous. According to RoSPA, 3,000 people were hospitalised in just one year due to electrical current accidents. In 1995 electricity killed 66 people, injured 23,756 and caused 7,500 fires.

Landlords must have gas installations and appliances in rented accommodation tested and certificated safe every year. Penalties for infringement can be severe – with fines of up to £5,000, six months’ (or more) imprisonment, or both! Plus the Housing Act (the HHSRS) requires that electrical appliances and installations are inspected and tested in accordance with the Safety Regulations.

All rented accommodation is required by law to be certified as safe and fit for use. There is some confusion in relation to whether a electrical test is required for rental property as some agents say that there is only a requirement to ensure the electrical fittings and wirings are safe. However,  the 2004 Housing Act clearly states that electrical appliances and installations are checked and tested in line with current safety regulations in relation to rented accommodation.

In essence this means that a Periodic Electrical Inspection is required every 3-5 years as this is the only way to show that a reasonable duty of care has been taken to ensure the electrics are safe.

Anyone who says that they think the electrics are okay but have not shown a reasonable duty of care and had the tested will be liable in the event of an accident. Insurance policies will only be valid for agents if a PIR is carried out.

Annual Electrical Safety inspection - £69
Safety check of Up to 6 Electrical Appliances
Visual & functional inspection of electrical installation fixed wiring including:
Identify & list all circuits in the property
Functional test of the RCD
Inspection Report
Additional Electrical appliance charge, after the initial 6 items - £2.50

Periodic Electrical Installation Report (Full Wiring Test) -
5 Year Intervals Recommended on all 1st time rentals - £130
Detailed inspection & testing of fixed wiring
Report that highlights condition of wiring & installation
Check for compliance with BS 7671
Report makes recommendations and indentifies any remedial works necessary
Quotation for works (if required upon request)
Full 6 page report

Pat Test (Portable Appliance Testing) £75 for up to 30 items
All rental properties  and commercial  premises  (including work) require P.A.T. tests.  P.A.T. tests stands for Portable Appliance Testing.  Landlords and employers have a legal duty to ensure that you have a auditable record for each piece of electrical equipments.  It is normal practice to carry out a P.A.T. annually.

The testing involves a visual inspection carried out with a portable piece of equipment. Most faults are picked up this way. The inspection will also check the external casing and condition of the appliances and that they are not damaged.  Equipment that passes the test will be given a durable label listing the date inspection, a pass or fail outcome, an id code and the date of its next check. 

The test must be carried out by someone with  knowledge and  experience to inspect and where necessary,  test equipment  and produce results of the activity. All Energy Assessors staff our qualified and registered with organisations such as NICIEC and ELMHURST ENERGY.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact our team on  020 8930 5668