Landlords' Guide to Electrical Safety in Scotland - Association of ...

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
If a landlord provides any electrical appliances as part of a tenancy, the Electrical Equipment
(Safety) Regulations requires him or her to ensure that the appliances are safe when first supplied.
Although there is no specific requirement for portable appliance testing to be carried out in
rented accommodation, the landlord is required to take reasonable steps to ensure that
appliances such as electric kettles, fridges and washing machines provided as part of the tenancy
agreement are safe.
Portable appliance testing is one way of ensuring equipment is safe for continued use. The
‘repairing’ standard, within the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, requires appliances to be in a
reasonable state of repair and proper working order where a landlord supplies them under the
tenancy.
How does it affect you.
You must ensure electrical equipment that you provide conforms to Electrical Equipment
(Safety) Regulations 1994 and take reasonable steps to ensure ongoing safety.
Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (ISITEE)
This document (produced by the Institution of Engineering and Technology) gives guidance to
those responsible for the inspection, testing and maintenance of electrical appliances. The
document also provides guidance to persons with administrative responsibilities for
maintenance of electrical equipment (such as landlords). This subject is commonly referred to as
‘portable appliance testing’. The information within the code of practice should aid persons
carrying out inspection and testing of electrical equipment to determine whether or not
equipment is fit for continued use, should be maintained or needs replacing.
It also provides advice on compliance with health and safety legislation
and recommends the frequency and scope of inspections and testing
for a range of electrical equipment in different environments.
Those undertaking portable appliance testing should hold a copy of
this publication, or an equivalent.
How does it affect you.
You should ensure inspection and testing of electrical appliances is carried out by a
competent person and that records providing documentary evidence of inspection and
testing results are maintained.
Further information relating to portable appliance testing can be found in Appendix D of this Guide.
14
The Electrical Safety Council Landlords’ Guide to Electrical Safety in Scotland