PAT Testing in Tunbridge Wells
Portable appliance testing for landlords, holiday lets, offices, shops and workshops across Tunbridge Wells and Kent, with pass labels and a full written record.
Portable Appliance Testing in Tunbridge Wells & Kent
PAT testing (portable appliance testing) checks that the electrical equipment people plug in, from kettles and heaters to laptops, power tools and extension leads, is safe to use. Select Mechanical and Electrical Contractors carries out PAT testing for landlords, holiday let owners, offices, shops, cafes and workshops across Tunbridge Wells and Kent. Every item is inspected, tested and labelled, and you get a written record of what was tested and the result, which is what insurers, letting agents and licensing officers usually want to see.
This page covers portable appliances in workplaces and rented properties in England. The fixed wiring, sockets and consumer unit are checked separately by an EICR, and nothing here is legal advice on your specific duties.
Who needs PAT testing?
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to keep electrical equipment in a safe condition. HSE's guidance makes clear the law does not demand PAT testing by name or set a frequency, but regular inspection and testing is the standard way to show you are doing it. In practice we test for:
- Landlords and letting agents, especially furnished lets and HMOs, where licence conditions often ask for it. Electrical Safety First notes that social landlords in England must now have the appliances they supply checked at least every five years
- Holiday lets and Airbnb hosts, where insurers commonly require it
- Offices, shops and cafes, to meet the employer's duty to maintain equipment
- Workshops, trades and community halls, where equipment is moved, knocked and worn harder
What a PAT test involves
Each item gets a formal visual inspection first, because most faults show up as visible damage: cracked plugs, cut or crushed flexes, scorch marks, or the wrong fuse. Earthed (Class I) appliances are then tested for earth continuity and insulation resistance, and double-insulated (Class II) items, marked with the square-in-a-square symbol, are tested for insulation. Extension leads and kettle leads are also checked for correct polarity. Each item is labelled pass or fail, and you receive a register listing every appliance, its location, the result and a suggested retest date.
How often should you test?
HSE does not set a fixed interval. Its leaflet Maintaining portable electrical equipment in low-risk environments suggests intervals by type of equipment, and the right frequency depends on how it is used: a drill on a building site needs checking far more often than a desk lamp in an office. Many rental properties and offices settle on a yearly or two-yearly test, and we will suggest a sensible interval for each type of item rather than a blanket date for everything.
PAT testing and EICRs for landlords
A PAT test covers the appliances you supply. The fixed wiring, sockets and consumer unit are covered by an EICR, which is a legal requirement for rented homes in England every five years. They are different checks, and we can carry out both on the same visit so your tenants only need to give access once. Our EICR due date checker shows when your next EICR is due. Our guide to the landlord electrical safety certificate explains the EICR rules, and our EICR and electrical testing page covers the inspection itself.
How much does PAT testing cost?
The price mainly depends on how many items need testing and whether they are in one building or spread across several sites. Tell us roughly how many appliances you have and where, and we will give you a fixed price before we book the visit. To get a quote, get in touch.
Which areas do you cover?
Based in Tunbridge Wells, we carry out PAT testing across Kent and East Sussex, including Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Crowborough, Uckfield, Maidstone and East Grinstead. If you are not sure whether we cover your postcode, get in touch by phone or WhatsApp and we will come back to you quickly.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Everything you need to know about PAT testing. If you have a question we have not answered, just get in touch with the team.
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Not by name. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to keep electrical equipment that could cause injury in a safe condition, but HSE is clear that the law does not say what has to be done, by whom, or how often. PAT testing is the most common way to show you are meeting that duty, and insurers, HMO licences and letting agents often ask for it.
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There is no fixed interval. HSE says the frequency depends on the type of equipment and where it is used, so a power tool on a building site needs checking far more often than a lamp in a hotel bedroom. Many offices and rental properties settle on a yearly or two-yearly check, and we can suggest a sensible interval for each item when we test.
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For private lets in England it is not a specific legal requirement, but landlords must make sure any appliances they supply are safe. Social landlords in England must now have supplied appliances checked by a competent person at least every five years. A PAT test is the simplest way to prove that. Holiday lets and HMOs are the most likely to need it, through insurance or licence conditions. It is separate from the EICR, which covers the fixed wiring, and we can do both on the same visit.
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We label it as failed and tell you why. Simple faults, such as the wrong fuse in a plug or a loose cord grip, can often be put right on the spot and the item retested. If an item is unsafe to repair, we recommend taking it out of use and replacing it.
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HSE says new equipment should be supplied in a safe condition and does not need a formal PAT test, though a quick visual check for damage is still sensible. We record new items on your register so they are included at the next test.
What Our Customers Say
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"I have been using Felix for a while now for all my electrical needs in my commercial property. He is always reliable, professional and his work is to a very high standard."
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"Very professional and efficient whilst working in my home. Felix was polite, helpful, left everywhere tidy and done a great job at a reasonable price. Would definitely recommend and use again."
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"Felix has done a number of jobs at my home. Always professional, always on time, always explains everything clearly. Great work at a fair price."
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