If you're a landlord in Nottingham, Derby, or Leicester, there's an electrical safety loophole that catches out property owners every year. It's not about failing to PAT test — it's about thinking you're compliant when you're not.
The Loophole
Most landlords know they need an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) every 5 years. Many also know they should PAT test supplied appliances. But here's where it gets tricky: the EICR only covers the fixed wiring — sockets, switches, fuse board. It does NOT cover the portable appliances plugged into those sockets.
So a landlord with a valid 2025 EICR and a 2021 PAT testing certificate has a 4-year gap in their electrical safety record. If a tenant is injured by a faulty kettle the landlord supplied, the EICR won't help — the landlord can't prove they maintained the appliance.
What This Means Across the East Midlands
Nottingham
Nottingham City Council HMO licences increasingly require annual PAT testing records. Inspectors check. If your PAT test is out of date, it can delay or jeopardise your licence renewal.
Derby
Derby City Council follows similar standards. Landlords with student properties near the University of Derby should expect PAT testing to be requested during inspections.
Leicester
Leicester's large HMO market means city enforcement officers are experienced at spotting gaps. A valid EICR without matching PAT records raises questions.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Without documented PAT testing, your insurance could be invalidated. A single serious electrical incident — fire, injury, fatality — could leave you personally liable for damages that run into hundreds of thousands. The annual cost of PAT testing for a typical rental property? Under £100.
What to Do
- Check your PAT testing records are current (within 2 years for standard rentals, 1 year for HMOs)
- Don't rely on your EICR alone — it covers different things
- Keep digital copies of all certificates in one place
- Consider using a service that matches you with local PAT testing engineers in Nottingham, Derby or Leicester who understand the local regulatory landscape
Getting compliant is straightforward. Fill in our form and we'll match you with a City & Guilds 2377 certified engineer near you.