Electrical Test Certificates - expiry?

[Icey]

When I moved in with Mr Darcy I rented out my flat. I had an electrical test done on all the appliances which cost a fair bit ready for the first 6 month tenacy.

My question is, how long does this test last for? Do I have to get the appliances re-tested every year? every quarter? every time I rent the flat to a new tenant or extend the current tenacy?

Any idea anybody?

Thanks

[dep]

Gas appliance testing?

[Icey]

Nope, no gas at the property.

[CJ]

If it's "PAT" testing: i.e. all alectrical plugs, portable electrical items, etc... then it's yearly.

And keep your reciepts!!!!!

[dep]

Phone environmental health and/or consumer services.
I cannot say what we do here due the difference between Scottish and English legislation.

[Blind_Dynamo]

Your local Council is responsable for policing the regulation and different Coucils may vary in how they impliment these regulations.

My local council insist a part p electrical test is done annually

[Icey]

Just checked with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Consuemer Advice Dept and also the lettings agency. I misread the statement and thought they were trying to charge me twice . It's definitely 12 months.

Thank you for all your responses

[Caro]

Originally Posted by Icey

It's definitely 12 months.

Not my subject of expertise but there's a new piece of regulation which must have come in, or a new way to interpret it anyway as in some instances for stuff that is not submitted to intense wear and tear, we now do it only every 4 years here.

[ducasi]

Originally Posted by Caro

Not my subject of expertise but there's a new piece of regulation which must have come in, or a new way to interpret it anyway as in some instances for stuff that is not submitted to intense wear and tear, we now do it only every 4 years here.

At least in Scotland, I believe the regulations just demand "regular" testing. We 'PAT' test every 2 to 3 years, and do visual inspections in intervening years.

[Caro]

Originally Posted by Icey

When I moved in with Mr Darcy I rented out my flat. I had an electrical test done on all the appliances which cost a fair bit ready for the first 6 month tenacy.

To be honest I'm actually surprised you need to PAT test private equipment (obviously at work it is a different thing). That may make sense when you are renting though.
But I am not sure any actual regulations would require you to do that every year...

With the goal setting approach taken in the UK, they're more likely to say that you need to risk assess it... i.e. test in once every few years, unless some equipment looks dodgy or is submitted to intense wear and tear...

But as I said, not my area of expertise so I may well be wrong.

[Caro]

that , that and that seem to confirm what I thought... you need to prove it's safe, so people recommend you do the testing once a year (obviously that's good money for contractors so they're gonna say it is once a year and put a tag that has an expiring date on it! )

[Barry Shnikov]

Originally Posted by Caro

that , that and that seem to confirm what I thought... you need to prove it's safe, so people recommend you do the testing once a year (obviously that's good money for contractors so they're gonna say it is once a year and put a tag that has an expiring date on it! )

That's absolutely right.

There are no requirements to carry out tests of electrical equipment on rented property. However, the landlord does have an obligation to provide safe accommodation. Just as you could be liable for a bannister railing that broke and caused an injury, so with the appliances you provide.

Any tenant (or other party, such as e.g. a local councillor) who had concerns about the safety of rented accommodation could request the local authority to carry out an inspection. The HSSRS procedure will be applied and appropriate, if any, notices served on the landlord. (A local authority is unlikely to consider a request to carry out an examination on the basis of a dodgy kettle lead, but might do on, e.g, 50 year old wiring.)

PAT tests are only a statutory requirement in the workplace.

However, any tests carried out on a landlord's instructions might assist in avoiding some or all of the liability for an appliance failure that caused an injury.

[stewart38]

Originally Posted by Icey

My question is, how long does this test last for?

12 months















unless its a leap year then its 6 months

[Icey]

It would appear that the lettings agencies require a "live" certificate so that they can rent the property for me. If I have to pay it, I have to pay it.

At least I can deduct it from the income for tax purposes

[Barry Shnikov]

Originally Posted by Icey

It would appear that the lettings agencies require a "live" certificate so that they can rent the property for me. If I have to pay it, I have to pay it.

At least I can deduct it from the income for tax purposes

Huh. If it were me I'd deduct it from the agency's bill, but there you are.

[martingold]

Originally Posted by stewart38

12 months

There is no statatury regulation for Portable Appliance Testing however I am a BS7671 16th edition qualified electrician and at work we use the IET's (institute of engineering and technology) which used to be called the IEE (institute of electrical engineers) recommendations which are found in
this table

[Icey]

Originally Posted by Barry Shnikov

Huh. If it were me I'd deduct it from the agency's bill, but there you are.

I wish. It costs a bloody fortune to rent out a flat. And then I still have to pay tax on the income too


[DAVID BECKHAM VOICE] At the end of day [/DAVID BECKHAM VOICE] my tenants are paying my mortgage for me ... well almost anyway

[Barry Shnikov]

Originally Posted by Icey

I wish. It costs a bloody fortune to rent out a flat. And then I still have to pay tax on the income too

Most unreasonable!