Need PAT testing for an Edinburgh rental property?
Tell HomeForce the property address, which appliances you provide, your deadline and how the tester can gain access. We will arrange a thoroughly vetted, continuously appraised and suitably competent person to contact you, or your tenants directly and book the visit.
PAT testing starts from £55 for up to 15 items. The person carrying out the work inspects and tests the relevant equipment and supplies the results; HomeForce remains on hand if anything needs chasing.
Ready to book? Call 0131 315 0000, email info@homeforce.co.uk or complete the form on this page.
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Tell us what you need and when.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 requires electrical safety inspections for private rented homes. Under the Repairing Standard, electrical fixtures, fittings and appliances provided by the landlord must meet safety standards and remain in a reasonable state of repair and proper working order. The Scottish Government’s statutory guidance on electrical installations explains that the inspection includes the fixed installation and in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment, commonly called PAT testing.
The inspection must be carried out before the property is first let, then at intervals of no more than five years. Equipment can need more frequent retesting; there is no blanket legal rule that every appliance must be PAT tested annually. The landlord’s duty covers appliances supplied for tenants to use, not appliances the tenant owns.
PAT means Portable Appliance Testing, but the Scottish guidance uses the broader term “in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment”. The tester formally checks each relevant item, its plug and flexible cable for damage, deterioration or unsafe connections. They then carry out electrical tests appropriate to that equipment, which may include earth continuity and insulation resistance. The aim is to establish whether it is satisfactory for continued use.
Depending on what you provide, items may include:
Landlord-provided fridges and freezers.
White goods can be included, not just small items.
Small kitchen appliances you provide.
Household cleaning and laundry equipment.
Portable lamps and personal care appliances.
Televisions, radios or stereos, and extension leads.
“Portable” does not mean only small things that are easy to carry: white goods can be included.
The tester records the items and results in an equipment register and formal visual and combined inspection and test record. The Scottish guidance says these records should be attached to the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
The person carrying out the inspection usually sets each appliance’s next test date. This will often be sooner than the five-year limit for the wider electrical safety inspection. Follow the recommendation and bring a test forward if an appliance is damaged or there is another safety concern.
5 Years
The wider electrical safety inspection is needed at intervals of no more than five years.
Earlier
Bring a test forward if an appliance is damaged or there is another safety concern.
Under 1 Year
A new appliance bought less than one year before the inspection need not be tested at that point under the Scottish guidance.
Test It
Second-hand equipment should be tested. If its age or condition is uncertain, include it in the inspection.
For a new appliance that does not need testing yet, add it to the equipment register and record when its first test is due.
An item that fails must be repaired or replaced immediately to comply with the Repairing Standard. Do not leave it available for tenants to use. The tester should identify the failed item in the record, so you can arrange the right follow-up. Tell HomeForce if you need us to arrange a suitable person to assess and quote for repair or replacement; that work is separate from the PAT visit.
An EICR is the Electrical Installation Condition Report for the fixed electrical installation. PAT testing covers relevant landlord-provided electrical equipment. A hard-wired or fixed item may be inspected as part of the EICR; if it is not included there, it should be covered separately as appropriate. The inspecting person should confirm the scope so no supplied equipment is missed.
Need the fixed wiring checked too? HomeForce can arrange an EICR inspection in Edinburgh and coordinate the appointments.
Tell us what needs testing and when you need it. We match the work and deadline to a suitably competent person, then ask them to contact you or your tenant directly to agree access.
Our contractors are thoroughly vetted and continuously appraised. Our job management and communication systems help us follow progress, and our team is available by phone if an appointment needs chasing or a problem needs resolving.
Our Market Rate Monitor helps us check that contractor charges remain in line with the local market. We can arrange a single PAT visit or other compliance and maintenance work as needed.
HomeForce is also a registered letting agent: if you want wider help with your Edinburgh rental property, we can support individual tasks or take on full property management.
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"Myself and wife got an apartment from HomeForce. Excellent people, we had Emily and Gavin managing the property and they made our stay memorable. Repairs done on time and checks reasonable spaced. Moving out was smooth when we needed a bigger space. Very highly recommended."
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"I have used HomeForce’s Full Service package since 2010 and it’s the best investment I could make in renting out my property in Edinburgh. HomeForce provide a friendly and very efficient service and undertake all issues and challenges that come with property rental, from marketing to maintenance. They always go the extra mile: I can’t fault them and would recommend them (and have) without hesitation."
Landlord
PAT testing starts from £55 for up to 15 items. Tell us how many items you provide and whether you also need an EICR, so the scope and price can be confirmed before booking.
No. The wider electrical safety inspection has a maximum five-year interval, but the tester sets the next inspection or test date for the equipment and may recommend a shorter period. Follow the date recorded for each item.
A suitably competent person must carry it out. Scottish guidance allows a skilled electrical person or someone who has completed appropriate assessed training in the in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment. HomeForce arranges a person suited to the work at your property.
No. The landlord’s electrical safety inspection duty applies to equipment the landlord provides, rather than appliances owned by the tenant.
Yes. Tell us who should be contacted and how access works. We will pass this to the tester so they can agree the appointment directly with the appropriate person.
Give HomeForce the property address, the appliances to be tested, your deadline and access details. We will arrange a suitably competent person to contact you and book the visit.
Call 0131 315 0000, email info@homeforce.co.uk or use the form on this page.
