Electrical items- PAT Regulations

[cosmicspoon]

Hello all - I do apologise if this is in the wrong section, but Im hoping for the best!

I have been issued the keys to my student house, and upon talking with the area manager and owner we were told of a new regulation regarding the requirement for all electrical items to be PAT tested, at a charge.
The housing manager assures us he has attended the required course an owns the correct equipment to test our appliances and can therefore carry out the tests without needing an "expensive" contractor.

One of my fellow housemates searched for information but didnt find any and I found a few pages, some of which said the tests were'nt essentially mandatory.

I was just wondering if anyone can clarify this issue for me, and if possible point me towards any legal documentation/ acts information.

Im not too concerned, but I just want to make sure this Landlord is much more reputable than my former.

Thank you in advance for any assistance provided!

[Sorrel]

I'v never known it to be compulsory in rented accommodation but it is recommended that from the landlord/letting agent point of view that it is carried out because according to a couple of websites (run by companies that carry out the testing none the less) landlords/letting agents can be sued in Civil Law.

Don't know how true this is and I'm sure the legal beagle's in here can clear that one up but as far as I am aware it is not a requirement and may only be the landlord covering himself in case of fire etc.

Thats how i interpret it anyway...

[CFAsolutions]

I understand that the PAT rules are predominantly aimed at businesses that employ over 5 people, maybe if your student accommodation is effectively run as a business - you do mention a building manager - maybe they have a handyman, a cleaner(s) and other employed roles that create the "business" type environment and thus the legal requirement.

Even if it doesn't (I don't purport to be a legal expert on this so I don't know) for the nominal cost of testing electrical appliances, it has to be worth it in our litigious society.

I network regularly with an individual that carries this testing out every day, his training is somewhat greater than a simple course, and the equipment he uses is significantly more expensive than the digital voltmeters some people have been seen to use.

Above all remember we generally get in life what we pay for, with a professional it usually comes with a significant level of Professional Indemnity Insurance and not just a pile of sticky labels!

Regards

CFASolutions (http://www.corporatefinanceassociates.co.uk)

[Mars Mug]

I can understand a need for the landlord to test their own provided electrical items, but I’m not sure if it’s mandatory. But if this were applied to tenant’s property then this could be difficult, it would need to be applied to items bought into the property at any time, though maybe not new items. So the landlord would have to somehow inform the tenant that if for example they bought a second hand TV then it needs to be PAT tested before being used?

[johnboy]

To my knowledge on properties where a normal AST is used no electrical cert or PAT test is legally required but there is a legal requirement for any electrical items to be safe.

If they insist on it find out what he charges and then chase around and get it done but someone cheaper. There are lots or people out there who do it from big Co to one man bands and you dont half to be a sparky (unless the law has changed)

Some factorys and firms have their own guy doing it so if you could find someone like that it may be cheaper.