It’s a question we get asked all the time and the answer is no. Although they’re often booked together, an EICR and PAT testing are two different inspections.
An EICR checks the fixed electrics in your property, including the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches and earthing. PAT testing looks at the portable appliances you provide for your tenants, such as kettles, microwaves, toasters and lamps. If you’re getting a rental property ready for new tenants, we’d always recommend having both carried out. They complement each other and give you a much clearer picture of the property’s electrical safety. For Landlords Electrical Testing Bristol, it’s one of the simplest ways to make sure everything is ready before move-in day.
Why do landlords need both?
An EICR tells you whether the property’s electrical installation is safe, but it won’t tell you if the kettle you’ve left in the kitchen has a damaged cable or if a bedside lamp has developed a fault over time.
PAT testing is a visual inspection followed by electrical testing where needed, making sure the appliances you provide are safe to use. In most rental properties, it usually takes around an hour, although larger properties with lots of appliances can take a little longer.
We recently carried out landlord's electrical testing Bristol at a three bedroom flat on Melville Road in Redland. It's a lovely late Victorian, early Edwardian property that had been rented to students. With the previous tenants graduating and moving out, the landlord wanted everything checked again before the next group moved in.
The PAT testing told a slightly different story. The microwave and kettle both had damaged power cables that weren’t immediately obvious until we inspected them properly. In this case, replacing the appliances was the most practical option but not every PAT test failure means an appliance has to be thrown away. Sometimes it’s something as simple as replacing a plug or repairing a damaged lead. The important thing is identifying the problem before it becomes a safety risk.
What Does Landlords Electrical Testing Cost?
Our EICRs start from £260 + VAT, which includes up to five circuits. If your property has more, additional circuits are charged at £35 + VAT each.
PAT test is £105 + VAT per hour and for many rental properties, that’s all it takes to test every supplied appliance. We’ll always explain our estimated costs before we start so there are no surprises.
Jobs like the one on Melville Road are exactly why we always suggest carrying out both inspections together. The fixed electrics might be perfectly fine, but appliances can get dropped, knocked or overused. They don’t last forever, especially in student accommodation.
Looking for Landlords Electrical Testing Bristol?
Whether you own one rental property or a whole portfolio, we are here to make electrical safety straightforward. We’ll explain our findings in easy terms, highlighting anything that needs attention and never recommend work that isn’t necessary.
If you’re arranging Landlords Electrical Testing Bristol before new tenants move in, Allied Electrical Services can carry out your EICR and PAT testing together, helping you welcome your next tenants with confidence and ensure your property is safe compliant and ready for its next chapter.
Contact us today by phone – 0117 303 9000 or via our contact form.
