PAT TESTING FOR SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION

Any landlord who lets residential accommodation which includes flats, apartments, houses, holiday homes, bed and breakfast establishments, boats and caravans as a business activity is required by law to ensure the electrical appliances they supply are regularly tested and safe.

 This is detailed in the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations Act 1994 which states that any electrical equipment supplied with the accommodation and connected to the mains must be safe.

 Insurance companies assume that you meet the above criteria and in the event of a claim arising from fire, injury or death could delay payment, reduce payment or even refuse to settle a claim involving an unsafe appliance which has not been tested.

 In the event of an injury or death landlords could be prosecuted and fined up to £20,000 in a Sheriff Court. Should indictment in a High Court follow, there could be an unlimited fine and/or up to two years imprisonment for failing to comply with the above act and the Health and Safety Act 2009.

It is the landlord's responsibility to prove compliance Examples of the appliances which should be tested include.

 hobs, washing machines, refrigerators, heaters, lamps, microwaves, toasters, hair driers, televisions kettles, irons and hi-fi equipment.

 Landlords therefore need to regularly PAT test and maintain all electrical equipment as they may become unsafe over time.