PAT Testing explained: What Landlords, Agents and Operators need to know

PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It’s the process of checking electrical appliances—anything that plugs into a socket—to make sure they are safe to use. This includes everything from kettles and toasters in a rental property, to lamps, TVs, microwaves, or even office IT equipment.

The testing is twofold, Visual inspection — looking for damage such as frayed wires, cracked casings, or scorch marks. Plus, Electronic test — using a PAT testing device to measure earth continuity, insulation resistance, and polarity to ensure the appliance is electrically sound.

Once completed, each appliance is either passed or failed, usually with a label attached, and the landlord or managing agent receives a certificate or digital report.

Is PAT Testing a Legal Requirement?

Though not strictly a legal requirement in England and Wales, it falls under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and ties in with your duty of care under the Housing Act 2004. Neglect it, and you expose your tenants to electrical hazards, increase fire risk, and potentially compromise your liability in a dispute and invalidates insurance cover. By undertaking this electrical testing you have a documented audit trail.

These frameworks require that electrical systems and appliances supplied with a property are safe. PAT Testing is the recognised method of proving that compliance. In practice, many letting agents, insurers, and corporate landlords treat it as a must-do, not an optional extra.

Why It Matters

Tenant Safety – Electrical faults are a leading cause of domestic fires in the UK. A simple kettle test can prevent disaster.

Legal Protection – In the event of a claim, being able to show a dated certificate is often the difference between compliance and liability.

Reputation & Trust – Tenants and corporate occupiers value professionalism. A landlord who takes safety seriously stands out.

Portfolio Management – For large landlords or agents, PAT Testing reduces risk across dozens (or hundreds) of appliances.

How Often Should It Be Done?

The frequency depends on the environment, for Rental properties, best practice is every 12 months, especially if appliances are included in the tenancy. And for HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) – Strongly advised annually, as tenant turnover and shared usage increase risk.

At Symple we know what a great PAT service looks like

To work with confidence, you need more than just a technician with a tester. Here’s what an excellent service should include.

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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Smart Spaces is proptech of the year at UK Business awards

London, September, 2025 – Smart Spaces has been crowned Property Tech Company of the Year at the prestigious UK Business Tech Awards 2025. 

The UK Business Tech Awards celebrate companies that use technology in innovative and impactful ways to transform industries and society. Winning the Property Tech category places Smart Spaces at the forefront of the PropTech sector – an achievement that reflects years of exceptional product development and new business development.

Bridging the physical and digital in real estate

Smart Spaces’ smart building operating system (OS) transforms commercial real estate by connecting thousands of systems into one seamless, intuitive user experience. From access control, lifts, HVAC to lighting, IoT sensors and workplace apps, Smart Spaces’ OS offers a unified, real-time platform that empowers landlords, occupiers and end-users alike.

The system is now deployed across over 105 million square feet of prime office space in 30 countries, powering flagship projects such as 22 Bishopsgate, Paddington Square and International Place, Boston.

A judge’s comment about the entry explains, “Smart Spaces stands out for creating a genuinely innovative OS and app. Their consistent profitability demonstrates exceptional business acumen, while the impressive client roster provides compelling validation of their leadership position in smart building technology.”

A journey of independent growth

Unlike many high-growth technology companies, Smart Spaces has been entirely self-funded and remains privately owned. Founded by brothers Dan and Tom Drogman, the company has consistently reinvested profits to build a scalable platform and expand its global footprint.

Since 2010, the Smart Spaces team has grown to 70 employees while the business remains lean and agile – thanks to a cloud-based architecture designed for scale.

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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OpticWise analysis – ‘What makes a building digitally ready?

How modern buildings operate, connect, and generate value 

Week 18: The Six Domains of Digital Infrastructure (PPP Chapter Breakdown)

In this weekly series, we explore how the commercial real estate industry is being transformed by data and digital infrastructure. Guided by the principles in Peak Property Performance, we unpack a new idea every week to help owners unlock value, reduce risk, and future-proof their portfolios. Learn more about OpticWise and Bill Douglas, the authors of this series.

What makes a building digitally ready? The answer is more than just WiFi or access control—it’s about building a strategic, integrated foundation across six core areas.

In the Peak Property Performance framework, this strategic foundation is defined by six interconnected domains of digital infrastructure. These domains are the backbone of the PPP Digital Infrastructure Review and serve as a universal lens to assess, benchmark, and upgrade properties for long-term performance.

The Six Domains of Digital Infrastructure

Each domain captures a critical element of how modern buildings operate, connect, and generate value. Let’s break them down:

1. Network Infrastructure & IoT

This is the circulatory system of a smart property. It includes all backbone connectivity: managed WiFi, multi-homed internet, cabling, networking hardware, and the IoT devices that rely on that connectivity. Robust network infrastructure is the baseline for any technology strategy—and yet, it’s where many properties fail first.

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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