PAT Testing Checklist: What to Check Before Testing Electrical Appliances

A clear PAT Testing checklist helps landlords, property managers and business owners stay organised before, during and after a portable appliance test. Whether you manage a furnished rental property, a workplace, a holiday let or a commercial premises, electrical appliances need to be kept safe, recorded properly and checked at suitable intervals.

PAT Testing, short for Portable Appliance Testing, is the process of inspecting and testing electrical equipment to confirm whether it is safe for continued use. It usually combines a visual inspection, electrical testing where required, labelling and a written record of the results. The Health and Safety Executive explains that the law requires electrical equipment to be maintained to prevent danger, but the type and frequency of checks should depend on the equipment, environment and previous results.

This guide gives you a practical PAT Testing checklist you can use before booking a test, during an inspection and when reviewing your final report.

What Is Included in a PAT Testing Checklist?

A PAT Testing checklist is a structured record of the items, checks, test results and actions involved in maintaining portable electrical appliances. It helps ensure nothing is missed, especially when a property contains multiple appliances in different rooms or departments.

A good checklist should include:

1. Appliance details, including make, model, location and asset number
2. Equipment class, such as Class I, Class II or Class III
3. Visual inspection results
4. Electrical test results where required
5. Pass or fail outcome
6. Test label information
7. Tester name and test date
8. Next recommended inspection or test date
9. Any remedial action taken

For landlords, this checklist can help demonstrate that appliances supplied to tenants have been considered and maintained. For businesses, it supports workplace safety records and helps duty holders manage electrical equipment across offices, shops, salons, warehouses, hospitality venues and other premises.

PAT Testing is not just about getting a green sticker on an appliance. It is about keeping an accurate safety record that shows what has been checked, what condition it was in and what happened if a fault was found.

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PAT Testing Checklist for Landlords

Landlords should focus on appliances they provide as part of the tenancy. Tenant-owned appliances are usually the tenant’s responsibility, but landlord-supplied appliances should be safe at the start of the tenancy and maintained during the tenancy.

A landlord PAT Testing checklist should include:

• Appliance inventory for each property
• Visual inspection before a new tenancy
• PAT Testing for supplied portable appliances
• Labels on tested appliances
• Report stored with property compliance records
• Failed appliances removed or replaced
• Retest schedule reviewed after each tenancy change

Landlords with furnished rental properties should be especially careful because tenants may use supplied appliances daily. Kettles, microwaves, washing machines, fridges, lamps and extension leads should all be recorded and checked where appropriate.

For property agencies managing multiple lets, a consistent checklist helps standardise safety records across the portfolio.

PAT Testing Checklist for Businesses

Businesses have a duty to manage electrical safety in the workplace. A commercial PAT Testing checklist should cover all relevant equipment used by staff, customers, contractors or visitors.

Business owners and duty holders should check:

• Office equipment, including computers, monitors and printers
• Kitchen appliances, including kettles, microwaves and fridges
• Cleaning equipment, including vacuum cleaners and floor cleaners
• Extension leads and multi-way adaptors
• Portable heaters and fans
• Tools and workshop equipment
• Chargers and detachable leads
• Equipment used by customers or the public

Commercial premises often contain a wider mix of equipment than domestic properties. Some items may stay in one place for years, while others are moved daily, shared between users or exposed to harsher conditions. Your checklist should reflect those differences.

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Beyond the Checklist: Step-By-Step Guide to Performing a PAT Test

Step 1: Build an Appliance Register

Before a PAT test takes place, start with a full appliance register. This is simply a list of the electrical equipment that may need to be inspected or tested.

Include all portable and movable electrical appliances supplied by the landlord, employer or business. In a rental property, this may include kettles, microwaves, washing machines, fridges, lamps, televisions, extension leads and plug-in heaters. In a commercial property, it may include computers, monitors, printers, power tools, kitchen equipment, vending machines, chargers, vacuum cleaners and portable fans.

Your register should record:

1. The appliance name and description
2. The room, department or property address
3. The plug type and appliance class
4. The asset ID or label number
5. The previous test date, if available
6. Any visible damage or concerns before testing

This step is useful because it helps the tester work efficiently and ensures every relevant item is accounted for. It also gives property managers and landlords a simple record they can update when appliances are added, removed, repaired or replaced.

If you manage several properties across Scotland, keeping one register per property can make future PAT Testing much easier.

Step 2: Complete a Visual Inspection

The visual inspection is one of the most important parts of any PAT Testing checklist. Many electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination, and some defects cannot be detected by testing alone.

Before any electrical testing is carried out, each appliance should be checked for obvious signs of damage or unsafe use. This includes the plug, cable, casing, controls, ventilation and signs of overheating.

The visual inspection should look for:

• Damaged or cracked plugs
• Loose plug pins
• Incorrect fuse rating
• Exposed wires or damaged cable insulation
• Loose cable grip
• Burn marks, melting or overheating
• Cracked appliance casing
• Missing screws or loose parts
• Signs of water damage
• Blocked ventilation
• Unsafe extension lead use
• Poorly fitted adaptors or overloaded sockets

A visual inspection can often identify problems before a test instrument is even connected. For example, a kettle with a damaged flex, an extension lead with burn marks or a plug with exposed wiring should not continue to be used until the issue has been resolved.

This is why regular user checks are also useful between formal PAT Testing appointments. Staff, tenants and building users should know to report damaged plugs, loose cables, overheating appliances or unusual smells immediately.

Step 3: Identify the Appliance Class

A useful PAT Testing checklist should include appliance classification. The class affects which tests may be needed and how the results are interpreted.

Class I appliances rely on an earth connection for safety. These often include washing machines, kettles, microwaves, fridges, toasters, some power tools and metal-cased equipment. Because they rely on earthing, they usually require an earth continuity test as part of the process.

Class II appliances are double insulated and do not rely on an earth connection. These may include many plastic-cased chargers, lamps, small household appliances and some office equipment. They should still be visually inspected and may require insulation testing depending on the equipment and risk.

Class III appliances operate at low voltage. They are generally lower risk, but their chargers, power supplies and leads may still need to be checked.

Recording the class helps avoid treating every appliance the same way. PAT Testing should be risk-based, not a one-size-fits-all exercise.

Step 4: Carry Out the Correct Electrical Tests

Once the appliance has passed the visual inspection, formal testing may be carried out where appropriate. The exact tests depend on the appliance type, class, condition and environment.

Common PAT Testing checks include earth continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, lead checks and functional checks. For Class I equipment, earth continuity confirms whether the protective earth path is intact. Insulation resistance testing checks whether insulation is protecting users from electrical shock. Polarity testing is especially important for extension leads and detachable power leads.

A typical test section of the checklist may include:

• Earth continuity result
• Insulation resistance result
• Polarity result
• Functional check result
• Leakage or substitute leakage result where applicable
• Pass or fail outcome
• Comments or faults found

The goal is not to test everything as often as possible. The goal is to maintain electrical equipment in a way that is sensible, documented and proportionate to the risk.

Step 5: Label Each Appliance Clearly

After inspection and testing, each appliance should be labelled with a clear pass or fail result. This makes it easier for landlords, tenants, staff and managers to see the status of the appliance.

A PAT Testing label normally includes:

• Pass or fail result
• Test date
• Next recommended test or inspection date
• Asset ID or appliance number
• Tester initials or company details

Failed appliances should be removed from use immediately, clearly marked and either repaired, replaced or disposed of. A failed item should never be left in service simply because it is still working. Electrical faults can create fire risks, shock risks and compliance problems.

Step 6: Review the PAT Testing Report

The report is just as important as the label. A sticker shows the current status of the appliance, but the report gives you the evidence behind it.

A proper PAT Testing report should list every item checked, the result for each appliance and any faults or recommendations. It should also include the property or site address, test date, tester details and next recommended inspection or test interval.

• Your report should confirm:
• Which appliances passed
• Which appliances failed
• Why an appliance failed
• What action was taken
• Which items were not available for testing
• When the next inspection or test is recommended
• Who carried out the work

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If you manage a rental property, business premises or serviced accommodation, a clear PAT Testing checklist can make compliance easier and reduce the risk of missed appliances.

Legionella Risk and PAT provides PAT Testing services for domestic and commercial properties across Scotland. We support landlords, property agencies, duty holders and businesses with practical appliance safety checks, clear records and straightforward booking.

You can also combine PAT Testing with other property safety services, including legionella risk assessments, helping you keep key compliance tasks organised through one provider.

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