Landlord Won't Fix Oven

mrmike1989

silvercar wrote: »

Agreed, but the landlord isn't saying no leg of lamb for ever, just until the oven is fixed.

That's why it's important to specify a time frame. Otherwise, could very well mean no leg lamb forever!

Annie1960

mrmike1989 wrote: »

That's why it's important to specify a time frame. Otherwise, could very well mean no leg lamb forever!

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/tenants_repairs_and_improvements/tenants_doing_repairs

I agree, it's about the time frame.

Here is the link to Shelter's procedure for getting repairs done if your LL won't do them.

G_M

mrmike1989 wrote: »

.....he has a friend in the industry that will be able to source an end of the line replacement. He hasn't given us a timeframe, I appreciate that he's trying to resolve the issue, but if his previous "repair" is anything to go off, I will be without an oven for months and more. I wonder if there is a time frame specified in legislation for when he has to have this done by?

1) as it is not even established if he has to repair (see earlier post), there is no timeframe. If it were an obligation, then timeframe would be 'reasonable'.
2) I would write a friendly letter, thanking him for coming round, recapping what he said, and asking for an indication of when his chappie (:rotfl:) will be round.
3) You seem to be getting it done - no need to stress

I was thinking of this and also charging him for our oven food that may get wasted. I was thinking of just buying a new oven all together and sending him the bill, and I still need to bill him for the electric heaters I had to buy (to heat our newborn) when the boiler broke.

Unfortunately, I am not skilled enough in law to be able to do such things, and legal advice costs!

Legal advice: you can bill him for whatever you like but
a) he does not have to pay and
b) you may p*ss him off

alta:He should fix the oven if it is built in, in fact if any white goods are in the property when your tenancy starts, unless its mentioned in your tenancy agreement otherwise, the landlord is responsible for the replacement in the case of breakdown as long as it is not the tenant that has damaged it.

What do you base this claim on?

How would you cook a leg of lamb on a hob? I don't think a hob is adequate

See my earlier post - a hob complies with the Act as regards fitness for human habitation. As for any contractual obligation (which has not been established here), a temporary lack of oven for a 'reasonable' period is acceptable.

The LL advised us to use the grill in the oven to heat the oven up, using a baking tray under the grill so that it doesn't make our food go crispy, and to just guess the temperature lol.

The hob is adequate to survive, but I'm looking to enjoy the oven foods I've bought, I usually have chicken in a flavour bag in the oven for tea, can't do that in the pan, or my flipping chips, but hey, atleast the veg can be cooked!

Wow! A landlord providing free cooking tips! He sounds like a model LL.

Strapped

Personally, I'd buy a combi microwave/oven that I could take with me when I move.

Sounds like out old LL who was Mr DIY too - his solution to a leaking chimney was to fill it from the top with concrete! No more chimney! And it didn't fix the leak either! We moved out early lol.

mrmike1989

G_M wrote: »

1) as it is not even established if he has to repair (see earlier post), there is no timeframe. If it were an obligation, then timeframe would be 'reasonable'.
2) I would write a friendly letter, thanking him for coming round, recapping what he said, and asking for an indication of when his chappie (:rotfl:) will be round.
3) You seem to be getting it done - no need to stress

Legal advice: you can bill him for whatever you like but
a) he does not have to pay and
b) you may p*ss him off

What do you base this claim on?

See my earlier post - a hob complies with the Act as regards fitness for human habitation. As for any contractual obligation (which has not been established here), a temporary lack of oven for a 'reasonable' period is acceptable.

Wow! A landlord providing free cooking tips! He sounds like a model LL.

1) It has indeed been established that he has to repair (see various posts), because of this obligation that he has agreed to per our contract,
a time-frame is indeed reasonable.

2) Yes, I think the best way to start things off would be to write a friendly letter, but if I feel that his time-frame is not acceptable, or he
fails to deliver and gives excuses like with the boiler, then a more formal letter will be appropriate.

3) Seeming is not good enough because of the LL's history, the boiler seemed to be getting done, and still has not been after many months.

Legal Advice:
a) I can have the repair work done and bill him, and he DOES have to pay. (see Annie1960's latest response)
b) If he gets frustrated/stressed at his inability to be a lawful LL, then that is his problem, not mine.

Q, What do you base this claim on?
A, It's based on the contract, please see my first post, the bit where it says LL's have a responsibility to repair faulty electrical & mechanical things.

A hob complies with what act specifically? A contractual obligation has been established. A temporary lack of oven is acceptable, however, the LL has shown previously, that his definition of 'temporary' can be more accurately interpreted as 'permanently'.

I wouldn't call that a free cooking tip! More like a fire hazard!

silvercar

A hob complies with what act specifically?

G_M wrote: »

The Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 S8 does require the property to be fit for human habitation, which includes "facilities for preparation and cooking of food". The LL has provided a working cooker so food can be prepared (albeit not a roast dinner).

Already answered for you. This does not weaken your case for a repair in a reasonable time, if that is what your contract specifies. But it does weaken any claim for take away meals etc

mrmike1989

silvercar wrote: »

Already answered for you. This does not weaken your case for a repair in a reasonable time, if that is what your contract specifies. But it does weaken any claim for take away meals etc

Yes I agree, we won't starve to death or anything lol. It's more of an inconvenience than anything.

mrmike1989

Strapped wrote: »

Personally, I'd buy a combi microwave/oven that I could take with me when I move.

Sounds like out old LL who was Mr DIY too - his solution to a leaking chimney was to fill it from the top with concrete! No more chimney! And it didn't fix the leak either! We moved out early lol.

Didn't know these existed! I knew you could get them with grills in, but I didn't know they could operate like a fan oven. It's a shame we've already bought a regular microwave prior to moving in, it's our first time living without parents, don't have much cash left over these days as rent is £595pcm.

It's a shame about the chimney, I often here people advising others to move out when their LL is bad, but we shouldn't have to run away, we should fight for our rights.

Annie1960

mrmike1989 wrote: »

but we shouldn't have to run away, we should fight for our rights.

Good for you, remain polite but assertive, and get LL to do his job.

If all tenants were like you, this might put some of the slum LLs out of business (i.e. LLs who think their only job is to collect the rent, and refuse to get any repairs done as they claim to have no statutory obligation for anything except a gas safety certificate).

jjlandlord

mrmike1989 wrote: »

but we shouldn't have to run away, we should fight for our rights.

... to party!

Sorry, I had to.