Register My Appliance: Why Landlords and Businesses Should Register White Goods
An estimated 40 million large household appliances in the UK are unregistered, according to the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA). That means that if a fridge, cooker or tumble dryer is recalled for a fire or safety risk, the manufacturer has no way of contacting the owner.
Registering an appliance takes a few minutes and costs nothing. For landlords, letting agents and businesses that supply white goods, it's one of the simplest safety steps you can take. Here's how it works and why it matters.
What is Register My Appliance?
Register My Appliance is a free UK portal run by AMDEA, the trade body for domestic appliance manufacturers. It's supported by the Office for Product Safety and Standards, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Local Government Association, RoSPA and Citizens Advice.
- 77 leading brands can be registered in one place.
- You only need a name, address and the appliance's model details .
- Your details go only to the manufacturer and are used for safety repairs and recalls, not marketing.
- Older appliances count too. Many manufacturers accept products up to 12 years old, and some accept older ones.
AMDEA runs Register My Appliance Week every January to raise awareness. The 2026 campaign ran from 19 to 23 January. Registration is open all year round.
Why registering appliances matters
Unlike cars, there's no legal requirement to register household appliances. Manufacturers can only send safety notices to owners they know about. When an appliance is sold, moved between properties or bought by a landlord for a tenant, that link is easily lost.
Recalls are rare. But when they happen, they're often serious. The current recall listings include tumble dryer models with fire risks, and gas cookers and hobs with warnings of possible gas leaks, fire, explosion and poisoning. In many cases the fix is a free, in-home repair by a qualified engineer that makes the appliance safe and extends its life.
AMDEA's January 2026 survey of 2,000 homeowners found:
- 20% don't know whether their large appliances are registered.
- 24% wouldn't find out about a product recall straight away.
- 28% rarely check their white goods for problems.
- The most common reasons for not registering were thinking the appliance was too old (25%) , seeing no benefit (24%) , or simply forgetting (16%) .
Winter is when tumble dryers, ovens, heaters and extension leads work hardest, so now is a good time to check.
Why it matters for landlords
If you supply appliances with a tenancy, you're responsible for keeping them safe. That makes registration especially important for landlords:
- Your tenants won't hear about recalls. A recall notice goes to whoever registered the appliance. If nobody did, nobody gets told.
- You may own appliances across several properties. Registering them all means you get every safety notice in one place.
- It helps your compliance record. Alongside your EICR, gas safety record and appliance checks, registration shows you're actively managing safety. That matters more as the new landlord register rolls out and councils get better visibility of compliance.
Registration also protects your investment. A free manufacturer repair is far cheaper than replacing a fire-damaged kitchen.
Registering isn't the same as a safety check
Registration tells you about faults the manufacturer has found across a whole product line. It won't tell you whether your appliance has a damaged cable, a cracked plug, the wrong fuse or worn insulation. Those faults come from everyday use, and they're far more common than recalls.
PAT testing isn't a legal requirement in rented homes unless it's a licence condition, for example on many HMOs. HSE recommends regular visual checks, and many landlords use a professional PAT test at the start of each tenancy to show supplied appliances are safe. Our guide to PAT testing for landlords explains what's involved, and our free visual inspection checklist shows what to look for between tests.
How to register an appliance in five minutes
- Find the model and serial number. It's usually on a rating plate inside the door of washing machines, dishwashers and fridges, or on the back of the appliance.
- Go to registermyappliance.org.uk and choose the brand.
- Enter your details. Landlords should use contact details where they'll reliably receive post or email.
- Check the recall list on the same site while you're there.
- Record it. Add the appliance, its serial number and the registration date to your equipment register.
You can also check the government's product safety alerts, reports and recalls listings for any electrical product.
What to do if an appliance is recalled
- Stop using it if the manufacturer says to, and tell your tenants straight away.
- Contact the manufacturer to arrange the free repair, replacement or refund.
- Keep a record of the notice and the fix for your compliance file.
- Check similar appliances in your other properties. Landlords often buy the same model in bulk.
Need your appliances checked?
Southern EET Testing provides PAT testing and EICRs for landlords, letting agents and businesses across Surrey, Sussex, Kent and London. We'll check every supplied appliance, flag anything unsafe, and give you a clear register and certificate. See our landlord services.
Get a quote or call 0345 017 9747 .
Sources: AMDEA / Register My Appliance; NRLA, January 2026. Information correct at the time of publishing.
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