Should he replace the cooker?

Myrtle77

We've just moved into a new rental, and have been cursed since arrival! I'll spare you a run down of all the problems we've had, but the main one is the cooker.

The cooker evidently passed it's gas safety certificate, but is not fit for use. There's rust on the casing, the inside hasn't been cleaned since the day it was bought, the glass was loose, and all of the temperature/setting controls were completely worn off - making it impossible to see what temperature the oven was set to etc.

I raised this with the agent, who after speaking with the landlord agreed we could dump it, and the landlord would pay to have my cooker (which I brought with me and stored in the shed) installed by a qualified contractor.

The contractor came today and said that my cooker couldn't be installed, as the electrics were not suitable for a mains connected cooker. Apparently it would cost a fortune to rectify this.

The landlord is now saying that he won't pay for a replacement Gas cooker, and that the original cooker (which we've now dumped, as agreed) was fine in his opinion.

Where do we stand?

J_i_m

If he refuses to provide a new one.. Then my suggestion is get an inexepensive one out of your own pocket.. and take it with you when you leave.

Since he agreed that the original could be dumped, and yours could be installed he can't really complain can he?

Myrtle77

Yes, except that it will need to be a Gas cooker - the next place we live in may not have a gas connection. I've already got an electric one I can't use here.

I can't really be hauling 2 cookers around with me every time I move. And unfortunately, gas cookers aren't particularly 'inexpensive'.

Brallaqueen

Did you get this agreement in writing?

If the LL arranged for the workman to go round and install your cooker, I'd say that was implicit acceptance an arrangment but if it is not in writing exactly what that arrangment was is up for discussion.

For ex, he could argue he did not mean for you to install an electric cooker where a similar gas one would suffice therefore not liable to pay.

Myrtle77

Yes, it's via email from the agent. Yes, my cooker is electric, and the fitting is gas.

HappyMJ

Then pay for the electric to be upgraded. They couldn't install it as it needs it own cable from the consumer unit to the oven. You pay for that and you can have your electric cooker.

Myrtle77

HappyMJ wrote: »

Then pay for the electric to be upgraded. They couldn't install it as it needs it own cable from the consumer unit to the oven. You pay for that and you can have your electric cooker.

I think you've misunderstood the problem HappyMJ. It has it's own cable, but the point is that there's no consumer unit to attach the cable to, as it's a gas fitting.

To wire it in, they'd have to install the wiring/unit in the kitchen to connect the cable to. Sparky reckons it would cost in excess of £500 quid, and that's why the landlord has changed his mind about paying for the fitting.

ognum

Oh dear you are in bait of a pickle, in retrospect it was probably not wise to dump the LLs cooker.

I think a conversation with the landlord is in order, maybe some quiet negotiation is needed. How much is you rent? Could you buy a cooker and suggest reducing the rent by a few pounds a month?

I think this is sad because it puts LLs in a bad light but surely you did look at the cooker prior to moving in.

G_M

I'm pretty sure there was a communication breakdown. The LL clearly believed (and frankly I think it's a fair assumption!) that you were offering your own gas cooker as a replacement for his gas cooker.

Since your cooker is electric it's clearly not just a question of 'swopping' as the LL assumed.

I agree with Happymj

Then pay for the electric to be upgraded. They couldn't install it as it needs it own cable from the consumer unit to the oven.

(The 'consumer unit' is the electric fuse box - a dedicated wire will be needed from there to the kitchen, to which an electric cooker can be connected)

If there is no electric cooker supply from consumer unit to kitchen, suggesting to the LL a swop was mad. Did you actually tell the LL your cooker was electric??????

Your options are
1) pay for the electric upgarde (expensive)
2) buy a gas cooker
3) put the original cooker back (after all, at least it worked!)
4) negotiate and compromise - perhaps split the cost of a new gas cooker with the LL?

kazca

£500 to facilitate an electric cooker? that's crazy money.

An electrician needs to run heavy duty cooker cable from the consumer unit to a cooker socker, into which you connect your cooker. The figure mentioned sound excessive - get another quote, preferably from a someone you know who is a qualified electrician.

IMO landlord not to blame here. You could sell your electric cooker and buy a good secondhand gas one. The landlord could have removed his cooker when you moved in which would have meant you would have to buy your own anyway. I am surprised that he allowed you to dump his working cooker as when you move out there will be no cooker in the property!

Myrtle77

Sorry GM, but you've made some incorrect assumptions on a few points here. Of course I told the agent that my cooker was electric (I'm not a complete idiot!!). I also informed them that it would need to be installed by an electrician due to it the cable needing wiring directly in.

I never suggested a swap, the LL did!! Clearly the LL didn't know his own house very well.

There was no way we would be using the cooker that we dumped, and if you had seen the state of it, you wouldn't have used it either. We only dumped it after he said we should.