Opinions needed Pls - New Tenant

Wolfy_2

Hi there,
I am new here and was wondering if anyone would be so kind as to give their opinion.
I have moved into a flat and the fan in the Oven is not turning, and the oven itself is making a rattling noise (although it appears to heat up). The landlord has lived there prior, and his mum has, and he says in ten years he has never recalled the fan turning. He said he does a lot of cooking and the oven has been fine.
Hes a nice chap, and I don't want to tget off on the wrong foot, but is this Oven potentially unsafe or uneconomical? Would you insist on a repair or would you take his word for it?
Many thanks in advance

Innys

Sounds like the fan assisted oven is not - fan assisted, that is.

The oven can be used in non assisted mode, it just takes a little longer to cook food. I doubt it would be less economical - after all no electricity is being used on running a fan, though on the other hand, the cooking is taking longer.

When you were offered the propoerty did the advert mention a fan assisted oven? If not, I don't think you can complain to the landlord,

If it did, then you must decide whether or not you want to kick up a fuss about it. You have grounds to take a stance, but if the oven works fine without the fan, perhaps you should wait until something more serious goes wrong with the flat (e.g. boiler/washing machine/fridge not working) and then mention it at the same time?

poppysarah

Put it in writing to him that you have noticed at the start of your tenancy that the fan oven is not working correctly and that this causes you some concern and if he could have it checked out you would appreciate that.

That way if he claims you've broken it at the end of your tenancy you can prove (by keeping a copy) that it's always been like that and hge can't rip you off.

The oven will not work as manufacturer intended. You could ring them and ask them how dangerous it is. most companies have contact numbers.

Wolfy_2

thanks for input.

The flat was advertised as fully furnished. The Oven was not specifically mentioned but I think you can reasonably imply that it should work as intended. Currently the rattling noise and lack of fan worry me as something seems loose and I don't want it catching alight due to some component rubbing up against another, or burning out. There is no optional 'no fan' mode on the controls.

I have put it in writing on safety grounds.

tbs624

Wait and see what the LL says in reply but he does have an obligation to provide all electrical items in a safe working order. Having a 10+ year old cooker without getting it checked out prior to a letting is less than intelligent.

In the event of a claim against him/her from damage or injury due to unsafe electrical items at a rented property , a LL needs to be able to offer a defence of "due diligence" and this is best shown by arranging & recording regular checks by a competent person.

gollum007

The cooker is absolutely fine, if its what I think it is
We had a cooker (Belling IIRC) with a fan-assisted oven for about 10 years, although it was far older than that. The cooker was black, and had a top oven/ grill plus the bottom oven (Door had no glass) with the hotplates in the middle if that sounds familiar.

If so, the rattling is the fan running, and is entirely normal; You'll get used to it.
You also won't see the fan running- The fan only runs when the oven door is closed.

-Gollum