Electrical testing for equipment in rented properties

[Dave]

Are there ay landlords out there who can advise on the need for electrical testing of washing machines and fridges? Several sites, including the ODPM's, indicate that it's necessary to get these items tested (presumably PAT tested) and say that it's required by the "Electrical Equipment (safety) Regulations 1994" - but from reading these regs I can't see where they require it (AFAICS it's just the UK version of the Low Voltage Directive). Can anyone out there speak with any authority?

Dave

[John White]

I'm not a landlord but I carry out PAT and fixed installation testing for several private landlords.

As with all other electrical appliances in the property, washing machines and fridges usually require testing. The property's fixed installation also normally requires testing.

I am not a lawyer but I understand that the requirement is derived from a combination of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations

1994 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

The Regulations impose an obligation on suppliers of electrical goods to ensure that they are safe. A landlord is normally considered to be such a supplier when they rent out a property.

The Local Authority and your insurance company will almost certainly have guidelines for rented properties.

John

[charlieB]

There's an article here

's no legal requirement for any particular checks to be carried out, nor any requirement for how often checks should be carried out - however, should something go wrong, you need to be able to prove due diligence.

one way of supporting due diligence would be to carry out some testing. Frequency of testing also varies with whether the product is portable or not - that is fitted with a plug, rather than hard-wired to a fused spur - as the flex on a portable prodcut is assumed to be more at risk of damage.

You should also provide complete instructions for the use of all electrical appliances in the property. That way the tenant can familiarise themselves with the specific warnings in user manuals (which often include instructions aimed only at the terminally stupid).

Charlie

[sPoNiX]

It is necessary to ensure that the appliances are safe. This may be accomplished by regular PAT testing (and inspection) or by other methods.

ie PAT testing is simply one method of ensuring the appliances are safe, and is not compulsory if alternative methods are used.

sponix

[Dave]

Thanks for the link. It's certainly interesting, but the reference is written by someone with a vested interest. It would be good to find an authoritative interpretation of the requirements by someone with nothing to gain from recommending regular testing.

Dave

[manatbandq]

covers the case for portable equipment in Hotels. I imagine it's similar and a look around the site may tell you something.

MBQ

[Dave]

Thanks for that, another interesting reference - it primarily discusses physical inspections by a competent person and says there is no requirement to keep records. An MIEE CEng isn't accepted for part P (spit!) but I reckon it would be accepted here. There doesn't seem to be anything on the HSE site that requires regular electrical testing of electrical installations or items such as washing machines, microwaves and fridges - only of truly portable electrical items.

Dave

[andrew]

Hotels are particularly onerous testing places for PAT purposes (counts as equipment used by the public). I don't have the PAT guidelines to hand, but I don't think they say anything about rented properties. I would suggest a fairly long testing cycle would be fine, with an additional formal visual inspection triggered by change in occupier.

PAT is not restricted to portable appliances -- the 'Portable' in PAT should be regarded as refering to the tester, i.e. testing should be performed in situ using a portable tester. However, portable (as opposed to Stationary or Fixed) appliances are the ones most likely to become damaged in use.

There are two C&G courses/exams which take a day each which HSE recognises as demonstrating competence to perform PAT testing. These are intended to be achievable by anyone who can wire a plug and knows ohms law and the difference between milliohms and megohms. It is not necessary to be an electrician to obtain these certificates, and indeed very few electricians are actually competent to perform PAT testing as it's not covered by any of their courses/exams. Incompetent PAT testers are easy to spot -- they nearly always start by plugging the appliance into the PAT test equipment.

[charlieB]

Yep - reckon the IEE missed a trick here when part P was going through

- competent in most "professional" branches of engineering is ultimately by peer review and to a certain extent self review.

There isn't a requirement anywhere that says "though must do A, B and C to have done due diligence in assessing the safety of electrical equipment supplied as a landlord" - short of going to a court of law, or carefully reviewing any cases that have gone before, you'll have to decide for yourself what is sufficient. I'm a landlord and consider myself to competent enough - I made an inspection myself, noting results of any measurements made and replaced a cracked socket.

Charlie