PAT testing and Electrical Installation Condition Reports for local businesses, landlords, letting agents and holiday-let managers, explained in plain English.
Talk to us about testing your premises.
PAT testing covers the equipment you plug in. An EICR covers the installation it plugs into. Most premises need a sensible approach to both.
Portable equipment
Portable appliance testing is the in-service inspection of electrical equipment, including plugs and leads, with electrical tests where they are appropriate. Visual checks do much of the work, and not every appliance needs an electrical test every time.
Kettles, microwaves and kitchen equipment
Extension leads, chargers and power strips
Computers, printers and office equipment
Guest appliances in rented or holiday accommodation
Fixed installation
An Electrical Installation Condition Report assesses the fixed wiring of a building: circuits, distribution boards, sockets, protective devices and earthing. It records the condition and findings. It is not a repair in itself, and it does not replace PAT testing.
Circuits and distribution boards
Sockets, switches and accessories
Protective devices and earthing arrangements
Coded observations and recommended next inspection
Typical premises include:
Offices
Shops
Salons
Cafes
Restaurants
Hotels
Workshops
Employers and dutyholders need to keep electrical systems and equipment safe. We help you understand what testing suits your premises, how it is used and what your insurer or lease asks for.
Keep your tenants and your property safe with an EICR on the fixed installation and, where you supply appliances, sensible checks on that equipment too.
Access, tenant contact and report handling take coordination. Tell us how your properties are arranged and we will talk through practical scheduling and how reports reach you.
Cottages, Airbnb-style lets and guest accommodation have changeovers and plenty of guest appliances. We can discuss working around bookings and keeping records for multiple properties.
PAT testing looks at portable and plug-in equipment: the appliance, its plug and its lead. An EICR looks at the fixed electrical installation of the building, such as the wiring, circuits, distribution boards, sockets, protective devices and earthing. Many premises need both, and one does not replace the other.
There is no universal legal requirement to PAT test every year. The law requires electrical equipment to be maintained so it is safe. How often equipment is checked should depend on the type of equipment, how it is used and the environment. A kettle in a busy kitchen or a lead on a workshop floor is likely to need more attention than a desktop monitor that rarely moves. HSE guidance explains this risk-based approach.
There is no single fixed interval for every commercial property. The right frequency depends on the type of premises, how it is used, its environment, the recommendation on your previous report, and any requirements from your insurer or lease. If you have an earlier EICR, the recommended date for the next inspection is a good starting point.
For residential tenancies in England covered by the Electrical Safety Standards regulations, landlords must have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report says so. That rule applies to those specific tenancies. It should not be assumed to cover every commercial building or holiday let, so check which rules apply to your property.
Holiday accommodation still needs its electrical installation and guest appliances to be kept safe, alongside a fire risk assessment and anything your insurer or booking agent requires. Holiday lets are not automatically exempt, and they are not automatically under the same rules as long-term tenancies either. Check the guidance that applies to how your property is used, and we can talk through sensible testing for the installation and the equipment you provide.
It depends on the site, the number of circuits and boards, the number of appliances and how easy access is. Rather than quote a blanket price, we ask a few questions and give you a quote based on your premises.
PAT testing means each appliance is unplugged briefly while it is checked. An EICR involves isolating circuits for parts of the inspection, so there will be some power interruption. We plan this with you beforehand, especially around tills, fridges, IT or other critical equipment. Some disruption is usually unavoidable, but planning keeps it manageable.
Observations are coded. C1 means danger is present and immediate action is needed. C2 means potentially dangerous, and urgent remedial action is required. FI means further investigation is needed without delay. C3 means improvement is recommended, and a C3 on its own does not make a report unsatisfactory. Dangerous or potentially dangerous findings should be dealt with promptly, not left until a later date. Any remedial work is quoted and agreed as a separate scope.
Yes, get in touch and tell us about your portfolio, locations, access arrangements and how you need reports. We will discuss what is practical for your properties and requirements.
After an EICR you receive the report with its findings, observations and recommendations. For PAT testing you receive records of the items checked and their results. These are appropriate records of the work, rather than a single universal legal certificate that covers everything.
New equipment that is supplied in a safe condition generally should not need an electrical test straight away. HSE guidance suggests a simple visual check to make sure it has not been damaged and is suitable for where it will be used.
This page is general information. Check official guidance for the rules that apply to your property.
Luke came over to pat test for us, he was on time, efficient and very friendly.
Highly recommend this company! Very reliable.
Laura Eggleton
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Tell us about your premises and we will talk through what makes sense.
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