Can an overseas landlord hold a Westminster selective licence?

Only with a UK-based managing agent: the council says an overseas landlord who wants to be the licence holder must nominate one, who signs a declaration. Agree who will answer the council's 21-day requests, such as for the appliance report, before you apply. About 30% of Westminster's licensed HMO owners live outside the UK.

Is PAT Testing a legal requirement for landlords in Westminster?

PAT Testing is not a named legal requirement, but the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 require landlords in Westminster to ensure all electrical appliances they supply are safe. PAT Testing is the recognised way to demonstrate compliance, and most landlord insurance policies specifically require it for furnished properties.

How much does PAT Testing cost in Westminster?

PAT Testing in Westminster starts from £59.99 for up to 10 appliances. 10–15 appliances cost £69.99, and larger portfolios are priced per appliance band up to 50 appliances. The only location-based surcharge is £20 for properties within the London Congestion Charge Zone, and £10 if no free on-site parking is available.

How often should PAT Testing be carried out in Westminster?

Annually is widely recommended, and at the start of every new tenancy. For HMOs in Westminster, where appliances are used more intensively and by more people, annual testing is effectively the minimum. Higher-risk properties may benefit from testing every six months.

What does a PAT test involve?

Our engineer visually inspects every portable electrical appliance for damage, then carries out electrical safety tests including earth continuity, insulation resistance and — where applicable — a functional check. Every appliance receives a pass or fail label, and you receive a full asset register listing every item tested and its result.

Do I need to be at the property for PAT Testing?

No. A tenant, keyholder or letting agent can provide access. The engineer needs access to every appliance being tested. We confirm the engineer's arrival window by text in advance.

Accredited PAT Testers · Certificate Within 24 Hours · Westminster

PAT Testing Westminster — from £59.99

Portable Appliance Testing for landlords in Westminster. Accredited testers, fixed pricing, no hidden charges — full asset register and certificate emailed within 24 hours.

Postcodes covered: SW1, W2, W9, W1, NW8, NW1, W10, WC2. Next-day appointments available — book online in under 3 minutes.

from£59.99

Book PAT testing in Westminster — from £59.99 View pricing

From: £59.99
Appliances: up to 50
Certificate: within 24 hours
Register: full asset register included

What is PAT Testing?

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is the inspection and testing of portable electrical appliances — anything with a plug, from kettles and toasters to washing machines and lamps — to confirm they are safe to use. Our engineer visually inspects each appliance for damage, then carries out electrical safety tests including earth continuity and insulation resistance.

While not a named legal requirement, PAT Testing is the recognised way for landlords in Westminster to demonstrate they have met their duty of care under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016. Most landlord insurance policies specifically require it for furnished lets.

Insurance note: PAT Testing is not a named legal minimum, but landlords in Westminster should check their buildings and contents insurance policy — many insurers will refuse a claim arising from a faulty appliance if you cannot produce a current PAT certificate.

PAT Testing in Westminster — local property context

Flats dominate Westminster's housing: at the 2021 Census only about one household in ten lived in a house (7.2% terraced, 1.8% semi-detached, 1.1% detached). A further 16.1% lived in flats or bedsits in converted or shared houses. The council's licensing evidence names mansion blocks among the buildings where it finds HMOs.

Private renting was Westminster's largest tenure at the 2021 Census. Council evidence puts rent at 75.4% of median earnings in 2022-23, against 46% across London. Our accredited PAT testers regularly test furnished lets and HMOs across the SW1, W2, W9, W1, NW8, NW1, W10, WC2 postcode areas, and carry out PAT Testing across Westminster for private landlords, letting agents and HMO operators.

Postcodes covered in Westminster

SW1, W2, W9, W1, NW8, NW1, W10, WC2 and surrounding areas. Enter your full postcode during booking to confirm coverage and availability.

Appliance testing in Westminster: the 30-month selective condition

Westminster's selective licence sets its own timetable for appliance checks. Condition 7 requires an electrical appliance test report on every landlord-supplied appliance every 30 months, with a copy to the council within 21 days of a demand.

Put the test date in the same diary as the CP12 renewal. Both reports can be called in at 21 days' notice for a licensed let in any of the 15 selective wards.

Property licensing in Westminster

Additional HMO Licensing Designation 2026
Additional HMO · In force
Applies to:
HMOs of 3 or more people from 2 or more households sharing a basic amenity, including shared flats in purpose-built blocks and converted buildings, and bedsits. Excludes mandatory HMOs and section 257 converted blocks
Area:
Whole City of Westminster
Period:
31 August 2026 to 30 August 2031
Selective Licensing Designations 2025 (No. 1 and No. 2)
Selective · In force
Applies to:
Privately rented homes that are not HMOs, such as homes let to a family, a single tenant or two sharers
Area:
15 of 18 wards: all except Pimlico South, St James's and Vincent Square
Period:
24 November 2025 to 23 November 2030
Mandatory HMO licensing
Mandatory HMO · In force
Applies to:
HMOs of 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Shared flats in purpose-built blocks apply under the additional scheme instead
Area:
Whole City of Westminster
Period:
In place since 2006 (council notes)

Checked October 2026. Schemes and fees change, so confirm the current position on the Westminster City Council licensing page.

Households renting privately: 43.3% (London 30.0%); Census 2021
Households in purpose-built flats or tenements: 70.2% (London 40.3%); Census 2021
Homes built before 1900: 44.1% (London 20.9%); VOA 2025
Conservation areas: 56, covering over 76% of the City; Westminster City Council

Sources

PAT Testing pricing in Westminster

Fixed pricing by number of appliances. The same prices apply in Westminster as across all other London boroughs — no London surcharge. The only location-based fee is the £20 Congestion Charge Zone addition for central London properties.

PAT Testing — Westminster pricing

Description	Price
Up to 10 AppliancesCheapest	£59.99Book
10–15 Appliances	£69.99Book
15–20 Appliances	£79.99Book
20–25 Appliances	£99.99Book
25–30 Appliances	£129.99Book
30–35 Appliances	£169.99Book
35–40 Appliances	£199.99Book
40–45 Appliances	£229.99Book
45–50 Appliances	£259.99Book

Additional charges (where applicable)

Parking charge if no free on-site parking is available: £10
Properties in the London Congestion Charge Zone: £20

Want the full service page? See our full PAT Testing page →

What's included from £59.99

Every PAT Testing visit we carry out in Westminster covers up to 10 appliances at no extra cost beyond the price shown.

Visual inspection of every portable appliance for damage or wear
Earth continuity and insulation resistance testing
Functional check where applicable
Pass/fail label applied to every appliance tested
Full asset register listing every appliance and its result
Accredited PAT tester — fully qualified and insured
Digital certificate emailed within 24 hours
Faulty appliances flagged with a clear recommendation

PAT Testing Westminster — frequently asked questions

Other landlord certificates in Westminster

We also cover these landlord certificates in Westminster:

EICR

in Westminster

Gas Safety

in Westminster

EPC

in Westminster

FRA

in Westminster

Commercial EICR

in Westminster

Electrical Diagnostic

in Westminster

Fuse Box

in Westminster

Emergency Lights

in Westminster

Commercial Gas (CP42)

in Westminster

Boiler Installation

in Westminster

Fire Safety Cert

in Westminster

Fire Alarm Install

in Westminster

Fire Door Cert

in Westminster

Extinguisher Testing

in Westminster

Commercial EPC

in Westminster

Asbestos Survey

in Westminster

Legionella

in Westminster

Managing an HMO in Westminster? See all HMO compliance certificates →

PAT Testing in nearby boroughs

We cover all 33 London boroughs. See PAT Testing pricing and booking for areas near Westminster:

PAT Testing Camden

from £59.99 · NW3, NW1, NW6 …

PAT Testing Kensington & Chelsea

from £59.99 · W11, W10, SW3 …

PAT Testing Islington

from £59.99 · N1, N7, N19 …

Book your PAT Testing in Westminster

Book online in under 3 minutes. An accredited PAT tester confirms your appointment. Certificate emailed within 24 hours.

Next-day appointments across Westminster and all 33 London boroughs.

Book PAT Testing in Westminster — from £59.99

Fixed pricing. No hidden charges. Accredited testers. Certificate emailed within 24 hours.