Sources checked · Applies to Great Britain; landlord rules by nation
In short: no law says "PAT test every year". The legal duty, under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, is to maintain electrical equipment so it doesn't cause danger. HSE says annual testing of everything is a myth: how often you check depends on the equipment and how it's used.
What the law says
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems and equipment at work to be maintained, so far as reasonably practicable, to prevent danger. HSE's PAT FAQ says the law doesn't make inspection or testing of appliances a legal requirement in itself. Testing is one way of meeting the maintenance duty.
How often?
HSE's guidance for low-risk workplaces (INDG236) says to base checks on risk:
- User checks before use catch most faults (damaged cables, plugs or casings).
- Formal visual inspections by someone trained, at intervals that suit the equipment.
- Combined inspection and testing where it adds value, more often for equipment that's moved around, used heavily or used in harsh conditions.
Equipment on construction sites, in workshops or in commercial kitchens needs much more frequent attention than a desktop computer that never moves.
Landlords
| Where | Rule |
|---|---|
| England, private landlords | No specific PAT duty. Testing appliances you supply is a good way to show they're safe. |
| England, social landlords | Since 2025, electrical equipment supplied must be checked at least every five years and before a new tenancy (GOV.UK). |
| Scotland | PAT on landlord-supplied appliances is required (gov.scot). |
| Nottingham HMOs | Licence applications ask for PAT records, and conditions require 12 months of appliance test records on request. |
Insurers and leases
Your insurer, lease or licence may set a testing interval. Those are contractual requirements, so follow them.