Nottingham has a thriving serviced office and coworking scene — from the creative spaces in Hockley to the business centres near the city centre and the growing hubs in Beeston and West Bridgford. If you operate one, you have a unique set of electrical safety responsibilities that differ from a traditional landlord or a standard office.
The core question is: whose job is it to PAT test the equipment? Serviced offices sit in a grey area between landlord and business operator. This guide clarifies where the responsibility lies and what you need to do.
Who Is Responsible for PAT Testing in a Serviced Office?
A serviced office or coworking space operates differently from a conventional leased office. The operator provides the furniture, the equipment, the kitchen facilities, and often the IT infrastructure. Individual tenants bring only their laptops and perhaps a phone.
Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the person responsible for electrical safety is the "duty holder" — the person who has control over the equipment. In a serviced office, that usually means:
| Equipment Type | Who Is Responsible |
|---|---|
| Kettles, toasters, microwaves (provided by operator) | Operator |
| Desks, chairs, monitors (provided by operator) | Operator |
| Printer/scanner in communal area | Operator |
| Tenant's own laptop and phone charger | Tenant (but operator has overall duty of care) |
| Meeting room AV equipment | Operator |
| Break room appliances | Operator |
Key point: As the operator, you control the premises. Even if a tenant brings in a faulty appliance, your duty of care extends to ensuring it doesn't create a danger for others. This is why many serviced office operators include a clause in their licence agreements requiring tenants' equipment to be PAT tested.
What Equipment Needs Testing in a Serviced Office
Here's a typical equipment inventory for a Nottingham serviced office with 30 desks, shared facilities, and meeting rooms:
- Kitchen and break areas — kettles (3–5), microwaves (2–3), toaster, fridge, coffee machine, water cooler, dishwasher
- IT and office — printers (2–3), shredders, monitors (30+), desk lamps, phone systems, Wi-Fi access points
- Meeting rooms — AV equipment, TVs/projectors, sound systems, video conferencing units
- Cleaning equipment — vacuum cleaners (3–5), floor polishers, steam cleaners
- Staff appliances — fan heaters, desk fans, personal fridges
For a mid-sized serviced office, you're typically looking at 80–200 appliances that need testing, depending on how much equipment you provide.
Testing Frequency for Serviced Offices
The IET Code of Practice recommends the following intervals based on equipment type and usage:
| Equipment Type | Recommended Interval |
|---|---|
| IT equipment (monitors, printers) | Every 2–4 years |
| Kitchen appliances (high-usage) | Every 6–12 months |
| Cleaning equipment | Every 6–12 months |
| Meeting room AV | Every 12–24 months |
| Portable heaters | Every 6 months (high risk) |
| New equipment brought in by tenants | Visual check upfront, test on entry |
In practice, most serviced offices do a full PAT test annually because it's simpler to manage than staggered schedules across different equipment categories. This also aligns with the annual EICR (fixed wire testing) that should already be on your calendar.
Managing Tenant Equipment
This is where it gets tricky. Your tenants bring in their own laptops, phone chargers, desk fans, and heaters. Here's how smart serviced office operators handle it:
- Licence clause — include a requirement that all tenant-owned electrical equipment must be PAT tested. Some operators provide free PAT testing for tenant equipment as a value-add service.
- Induction check — when a new tenant moves in, visually check their equipment. This is a good opportunity to explain your electrical safety policy.
- Ban certain items — many serviced offices ban personal heaters and cooking appliances beyond what's in the kitchen. It simplifies safety and reduces energy costs.
- Annual reminder — send a reminder to all tenants before your annual PAT testing visit, asking them to bring their personal equipment for testing.
FAQs for Serviced Office Operators
What if a tenant refuses PAT testing?
Your licence agreement should make it a condition of occupancy. If they refuse, you have grounds to either insist or terminate their licence. A refusal to participate in electrical safety measures is a serious liability risk for you.
Do we need a PAT test for every single item?
In theory, yes. In practice, classify items by type and test a representative sample. But for complete peace of mind and the best audit trail, test everything on a rolling schedule.
Can we do PAT testing in-house?
You can, but you need someone who is "competent" — meaning they understand the testing process, can interpret results, and can complete proper documentation. Most operators prefer to use an external City & Guilds 2377 certified engineer.
Key Takeaways for Nottingham Serviced Office Operators
- As the operator, you're responsible for PAT testing all equipment you provide
- Include electrical safety clauses in your licence agreements
- Annual PAT testing is the simplest approach for most serviced offices
- Choose a Nottingham-based engineer who understands the serviced office model
- Keep digital records of all testing for your compliance file
If you operate a serviced office or coworking space in Nottingham and need PAT testing, we can connect you with a City & Guilds 2377 certified local engineer. Get a free quote or call 0333 038 2842.