When rental appliances actually need testing

There's no fixed legal interval for testing appliances in a rental property, but most landlords and agents work to a simple rule: test at the start of a new tenancy, and again roughly every 12–24 months if the same tenant stays on. That gives you a dated record close to the point where responsibility for the equipment changes hands, which is exactly when questions tend to come up.

The appliances that matter most are the ones a tenant can't avoid using daily — kettles, toasters, irons, hairdryers, microwaves and any TV or lamp supplied with the property. Built-in appliances like ovens and washing machines usually fall under separate electrical safety checks, but freestanding portable items are squarely PAT testing territory.

What letting agents and mortgage providers ask for

In practice, the request is rarely "show me a PAT certificate" in isolation — it's usually part of a wider compliance file alongside gas safety and EICR paperwork. What agents want to see is a dated certificate that clearly lists each appliance, its test result, and the address it relates to. A generic certificate that doesn't tie back to the specific property is far less useful when it's filed away for a mortgage review or insurance claim.

  • A certificate per property, not a single mixed list across a portfolio
  • Clear pass/fail status against each named appliance
  • A date the test was carried out and when the next one is recommended

Keeping records tidy across multiple properties

If you manage more than one let, the biggest practical risk isn't the testing itself — it's losing track of which property is due next. A simple spreadsheet with a retest date per property, or a testing provider that sends a reminder ahead of the date, solves most of the problem. Either way, keep each property's certificate filed separately so nothing gets mixed up at renewal or during a tenant changeover.

What happens if something fails

A failed appliance should be removed from the property or replaced before the next tenant moves in — it isn't something to leave for "next time." A reasonable tester will flag this clearly on the day rather than burying it in paperwork you see a week later, so you have time to act before a changeover date.