need a new cooker out of my landlord.

polomint_2

Hi all, need some guidence notes please.

I rent my property from a private landlord. I have been here for about 3 yrs. The property came with an electric cooker. Not built in but free standing. Its ancient and falling apart. The numbers on the dials have all but disapeared so you have to judge the oven tempreture. Also when i cook anything i have to cook on the higest oven temp there is and usually for bout 20-30mins more then it says on cooking instructions.

When i first moved in i asked for a new cooker and was turned down! They said i could put a new one in myself if i wanted but as the one in the property was working they didnt have to replace it.

What with energy prices going up i fear using the oven in this way is making my bills higher.

has anyone any idea what i might in a letter to my landlord to request again a new cooker?

Many thank yous in advance.:rolleyes:

MoneySavingSpender

Does your TA specifically mentioned that your property is provided in fully furnished condition?
Did you sign an inventory when you moved in?

polomint_2

no its unfurnished however in the inventry it states the cooker as being here.

PasturesNew

You might have to nobble it
shhhh

all_change

You say the cooker is falling apart - this implies it needs repair (although obviously I haven't seen it).

My understanding is that if a cooker has been provided by the LL then it is his responsibility to keep it in working order or replace it, i.e. the effect is that you should continue to have a working cooker during your tenancy.

If it's just not a very good cooker then I suspect you don't have a case, but if it's dangerous or bits are actually falling off then it needs to be repaired or replaced and it is the LL's responsibility to do this.

HTH

m1ntie

This is a difficult one - technicaly the cooker is working. Maybe not 100% efficiently but it is working, so I dont think your L/L is legally required to re-place it. However, if you have been a good paying tenant for 3 years, he may not want to upset you. Why not offer to compromise and share the cost of a second hand cooker. You can often pick up perfectly good second hand cookers for around £50 - try local free newspaper etc.

Good luck

m1ntie

PasturesNew wrote: »

You might have to nobble it
shhhh

I thought that as well - but if the L/L is not very good OP could be several days or even weeks without a cooker - waiting for the L/L to act.

tbs624

There is a difference between something being old but safe &serviceable, and something that is falling apart, impossible/difficult to regulate and a potential danger.

If you are of the opinion that it is unsafe then just remind the LL that electrical items provided as part of a tenancy should be in safe working order, and that your view is that the cooker is not, detailing why. Point out that he will probably invalidate his own insurance if there was to be a resultant fire. Ask when he last had it checked by an electrician.

Get some quotes for a replacement and enclose them. Suggest to him that your only alternative may be to involve the Tenancy Relations Officer at the local Council (housing dept - Private Sector Rentals Team). Post your letter Rec Del & keep a copy.

cowbutt

polomint wrote: »

What with energy prices going up i fear using the oven in this way is making my bills higher.

No need to worry; whilst your meals may be taking longer to cook, the total electrical power usage will be roughly the same as if it was cooking at a higher temperature for a shorter time.

Heating and cooking with electricity is, however, about four times more expensive per kW than natural gas.

poppysarah

Ask for it to be checked out.

I'd ring shelter and the tenancy relations officer for advice too

mlz1413

I would write to LA/LL and state the problems you have said here - no numbers on dials and appears not to be heating to correct temperture plus state the 'falling apart' problem accurately. Say that you would like it to be replaced with onethat can be used safely - don't expect a new one.

If you get the run around and you can afford to change oven then you could replace the oven yourself but you would need to get the exsisting oven removed from inventory so that you are not liable to leave the replacement one.