From 1st December 2015 landlords are required to undertake two types of electrical checks on their rental properties; an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and a Portable Appliance Test (PAT). 

The two parts to the electrical safety inspection are –

• an inspection of installations, fixtures and fittings – (EICR)

Any electrical installation, fixtures, fittings or equipment which fails to pass electrical safety inspection must be replaced or repaired to comply with the Repairing Standard.

• a record of testing of appliances provided by the landlord – (PAT)

Any electrical equipment which fails to pass a In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment must be replaced or repaired immediately to comply with the Repairing Standard.

Landlords are required to ensure an electrical safety inspection comprising of periodic inspection also known as PAT testing is carried out by a skilled person(s) competent in such work before the property is let for the first time, and then at intervals of no more than five years. This does not have to be completed immediately before a new tenancy begins or every time a new tenancy starts, as long as it has been carried out in the period of 5 years before the tenancy starts.

The requirements were updated and from 1 March 2024 –

D.55 In order to comply with the Repairing Standard, there must be one or more Residual Current Device (RCD) with rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA in the main or principal consumer unit. Normally, as a minimum, this will cover the socket-outlet circuit. However, the protection requirements will vary depending on the installation in the let property. The Repairing Standard Statutory Guidance

In-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment’ (also known as PAT testing) – the date for retesting appliances is usually set during the In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment and will usually be more frequent than five years. There is a new requirement for the PAT tester to provide a copy of their “test instrument record” with the paperwork they provide to a landlord. This confirms the testing device they use to check electrical equipment is accurate.

If the In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (PAT) is not carried out by the skilled person undertaking the EICR, the skilled person should confirm that the equipment report is complete and up to date.

The landlord must receive and keep a copy of the EICR for six years. A copy

of the most recent EICR must be given to any person who is to become a tenant

before a tenancy starts. If an inspection is carried out during a tenancy a copy

relating to that inspection must be given to the tenant. The tenant must be given a copy of the inspection when it is done. A new tenant must be given a copy of the most recent inspection before the tenancy begins.