Landlord electrical safety · Scotland

PAT testing for landlords in Scotland: rental property guide

A practical explanation of which landlord-provided appliances are covered, how PAT testing fits with an EICR, what records to keep and what to do when equipment fails.

Published 9 September 2026 Reviewed by Leading Electrical Solutions For landlords and letting agents in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Scotland

Short answer: Scottish Government guidance requires a landlord’s electrical safety inspection to include in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment—commonly called PAT testing—for equipment supplied by the landlord. It must be completed before the property is first let and then at intervals of no more than five years.

Is PAT testing required for Scottish landlords?

Yes, where the landlord provides electrical equipment as part of the tenancy. Annex D3 of the Scottish Government’s Repairing Standard guidance says the electrical safety inspection comprises two connected parts:

  • periodic inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installation; and
  • in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment, commonly referred to as PAT testing.

The purpose is to confirm, as far as reasonably practicable, that the installation and equipment remain in a satisfactory condition for continued use and to identify damage, deterioration, defects or dangerous conditions.

Which rental property appliances are covered?

The relevant equipment is electrical equipment supplied by the landlord. The official guidance gives examples including:

Equipment group Examples in the guidance Practical landlord action
White goods Refrigerators and washing machines List each landlord-provided item in the equipment register.
Brown goods Televisions and DVD players Include equipment left for the tenant’s use.
Portable heating Electric fires that are not fixed in place Check condition, cable, plug and test results where required.
Kitchen and handheld items Kettles, toasters and hairdryers Record all supplied items, including lower-value appliances.
Other landlord appliances Equipment not permanently connected to the installation Do not rely on a short inventory that covers only major appliances.

Tenant-owned appliances are not landlord-provided equipment. The landlord’s record should make clear which items belong to the property so there is no confusion during inspection or at a change of tenancy.

Does PAT testing include fixed electrical equipment?

“Portable appliance testing” can sound narrower than the Scottish requirement. The guidance says all equipment provided by the landlord, including fixed equipment, should be inspected and tested where required.

Some fixed equipment may be inspected as part of the EICR. If a fixture or appliance is not specifically included in the EICR, it should be covered separately by the in-service inspection and testing. The important point is that landlord-provided equipment should not fall into a gap between the two reports.

How often is PAT testing needed in a Scottish rental property?

The landlord electrical safety inspection must be completed before the property is first let and then at intervals of no more than five years. It does not automatically have to be repeated at the start of every tenancy when a valid inspection was completed within the previous five years.

Five years is a maximum interval in the Scottish guidance, not a promise that every appliance can be ignored until that date. Equipment can be damaged, moved, recalled or replaced between inspections. A competent person can advise whether the type of equipment, its environment, frequency of use or condition justifies an earlier inspection.

Between-tenancy checks still matter

Before a new tenant moves in, compare the appliance inventory with the latest equipment register. Look for missing items, visible damage, damaged plugs or cables, and appliances introduced since the previous inspection. Arrange a competent inspection when anything has changed or there is doubt about safety.

What PAT testing records should landlords keep?

The Scottish guidance identifies two core records for in-service inspection and testing:

  1. Equipment register: a list of the landlord-provided electrical equipment in the property.
  2. Formal visual and combined inspection and test record: the inspection outcome and test information for the listed equipment.

The guidance says copies of the forms should be attached to the EICR. Keep them with the tenancy records, current appliance inventory, repair or replacement evidence, and the date of the next planned inspection.

For a portfolio, use a consistent property reference and appliance description. Recording the make, model, location and a unique item number makes it easier to match an appliance to its result at the next visit.

What happens when an appliance fails?

Annex D3 says electrical equipment that fails the in-service inspection and testing must be repaired or replaced immediately to comply with the Repairing Standard. A failed item should not remain available for tenant use while a future repair is being arranged.

Update the equipment register after the item is removed, repaired or replaced. If a replacement appliance is introduced, add it to the property records and obtain the appropriate inspection information rather than assuming the old item’s record applies.

Who can carry out landlord PAT testing?

The inspection and testing must be completed by a suitably competent person. The Scottish guidance describes this as either a skilled electrical person or a person—including a landlord—who has completed appropriate assessed training for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

Owning a PAT tester or knowing how to attach a pass label is not, by itself, evidence of competence. The person must be able to carry out the appropriate visual inspection, select and perform the relevant tests, understand the results and keep suitable records.

Leading Electrical Solutions is SELECT registered, has over 50 years of experience, carries out DBS checks for approved electricians and provides a 12-month guarantee on labour and supplied parts.

Landlord PAT testing checklist

  1. List every electrical item supplied with the tenancy.
  2. Check which fixed appliances are covered by the EICR and which require separate inspection.
  3. Appoint a suitably competent person to complete the inspection and testing.
  4. Retain the equipment register and formal visual and combined inspection and test record.
  5. Attach or store the PAT records with the current EICR.
  6. Repair or replace failed equipment immediately and update the register.
  7. Review the inventory between tenancies and whenever appliances change.
  8. Record the next inspection deadline and any earlier date recommended.

Frequently asked questions

Is PAT testing the same as an EICR?

No. An EICR principally covers the fixed electrical installation. PAT testing is the common term for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment. Scottish landlord guidance treats both as parts of the electrical safety inspection.

Does every landlord appliance need a sticker?

The official guidance focuses on competent inspection, testing where required, and proper records. A label can help identify an item and its status, but it does not replace the equipment register and inspection record.

Must PAT testing be repeated for every new tenancy?

Not automatically. The official maximum interval is five years and the inspection need not be repeated at every tenancy change if it remains current. However, landlords should check the inventory and condition between tenancies and arrange earlier inspection when circumstances require it.

Official sources and further reading

This article is general information for landlords and letting agents. It is not legal advice. Scottish requirements and official guidance can change, so check the current government guidance for your property and tenancy circumstances.