Fire safety guidance includes furniture and furnishings supplied by a landlord. Retain relevant product information and inspect condition. Use the national electrical rules for testing requirements; there is no single universal annual PAT interval for every letting.
Build an inventory that supports safety checks
List supplied furniture and appliances with enough detail to identify the actual items.
- Check upholstered furniture against the applicable fire-safety requirements, including evidence and labels where relevant.
- Record appliance make, model, condition and instructions. Check recalls through official product-safety information where a concern arises.
- Remove or make safe damaged items before letting. A tenant agreeing to accept an unsafe item does not resolve the landlord's duty.
Apply the correct inspection approach
Installation checks and appliance checks answer different questions.
- Keep electrical installation reports separate from the assessment of supplied appliances, plugs and leads.
- Follow Scotland's specific electrical-inspection and portable-appliance requirements for landlord-provided equipment. Do not apply an invented universal annual PAT rule to every country.
- Use a competent person and a risk-based maintenance plan where appropriate, taking account of use, condition and manufacturer instructions.
Manage replacements and tenant-owned items
Keep the record current throughout the letting.
- Identify whether an item belongs to the landlord or tenant. Record any agreed transfer or removal rather than leaving ownership unclear.
- Replace items with suitable products and retain purchase and safety information. Check that replacements fit ventilation, electrical and escape arrangements.
- At checkout, distinguish ordinary wear from damage and use the original inventory to support any claim.
Example: a second-hand sofa has no reliable information
A fictional landlord buys a used sofa for a furnished flat but cannot establish its compliance. Resolve that before supplying it. A low purchase price or good appearance is not evidence of fire safety.
What to do
- List supplied items and retain safety labels or product evidence where applicable.
- Check damage, recalls and the suitability of the item.
- Record replacements and explain any safe-use instructions.
Evidence to keep
- Inventory and product evidence
- Inspection, repair and replacement history
Sources and guidance
- Fire safety in shared or rented accommodationUK Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Electrical safety standards: landlord guidanceUK Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Repairing Standard: statutory guidanceScottish Government · checked 20 October 2026