PAT testing for holiday lets and Airbnb
Guests use your appliances without knowing their history, and you are the one responsible for them. Here is what that means in practice.
Which rules apply to a holiday let
The five-yearly electrical inspection rules for landlords in England apply to private tenancies. A holiday let is not a tenancy, so those rules do not cover it. That does not leave you without duties:
- Consumer safety law. Electrical goods you supply to paying guests have to be safe. Trading standards guidance on let accommodation covers self-catering holiday accommodation by name, recommends having equipment checked before letting begins and at regular intervals after that, and advises keeping records of what was tested and the results.
- Fire safety. Holiday lets fall under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, so you need a fire risk assessment. Faulty appliances and overloaded leads are a fire risk it should take into account.
- Your insurer and agency. Many ask for evidence that appliances have been checked, and a claim is much easier to defend with a dated record.
The fixed wiring is a separate matter. An electrical installation condition report (EICR) is carried out by an electrician. It is good practice for a holiday let, and it is not a service we offer.
What gets tested in a typical cottage
Anything electrical you leave for guests: kettle, toaster, coffee machine, microwave, hairdryer, iron, vacuum, lamps, the TV and set-top box, fans and plug-in heaters, dehumidifiers, extension leads and any chargers you provide. Built-in ovens and hobs, hot tubs and anything hard-wired are part of the installation rather than portable equipment. A two or three bedroom cottage usually comes to 20 to 35 items. Items guests bring with them are not your responsibility.
How often to test
There is no fixed legal interval. Holiday lets see heavier and less careful use than a family home, with frequent changeovers and guests who have never used the equipment before. For that reason many owners and agents work to an annual test, backed by a quick look at each changeover. The changeover check needs no equipment: cracked plugs, damaged cables, scorch marks and loose parts are all visible. Our free user-check sheet lists what to look for and is easy for a cleaning team to follow.
Fitting it round changeovers
We test on changeover day, between one group of guests and the next. A 25-item cottage usually takes about an hour. If you are not on site, we can collect keys from a key safe or your agent. The certificate is emailed the same day, so you can pass it straight to your agency or insurer.
What it costs
A 25-item cottage is £50, all-in, with travel included and no VAT to add. If you have several units on one site, ask about testing them in a single visit. We cover the Cotswold edge around Chipping Norton, north Oxfordshire and south Warwickshire, including Stratford-upon-Avon.
Sources
Common questions
Do I need an EICR for a holiday let?
In England there is no specific rule requiring one for holiday lets, because the five-yearly requirement covers private tenancies. Many insurers and agencies expect one anyway, and it is good practice. It is a separate job from PAT testing, carried out by an electrician, and not a service we offer.
Do Airbnb and other short lets count as holiday lets?
For appliance safety, yes. If you supply electrical equipment to paying guests, the same duty to keep it safe applies whether you advertise through an agency, a platform or your own website.
Do guests' own appliances need testing?
No. You are responsible for what you supply. Guests are responsible for anything they bring with them.
Related guides
How to prepare for a PAT test
A practical checklist for the day of your PAT test, plus a free appliance register and user-check sheet to download. Saves time and keeps your quote accurate.
Read the guideExtension leads and adaptors: the items most likely to fail
Why extension leads and adaptors fail PAT tests more than anything else, how to avoid overloading them, and what HSE says about testing them.
Read the guideWhat a PAT certificate should show
The law does not require a PAT certificate, but insurers, agents and inspectors ask for one. What a useful record contains, and how to spot a weak one.
Read the guideReady to get tested?
Pick a slot in the next four weeks, or send us the details for a date further out. It's a provisional booking, and one of the team will be in touch to confirm.