Landlord not replacing oven.. ignition broken

Monkey2801

We have a double oven in our rented accommodation, one being gas one electric, with a grill and 4 hob burners. On the 12th October we reported the ignition as having stopped working, meaning only the electric oven would light 'normally' and we had to use a lighter/match to light everything else - not safe.

Someone came to look at it and 'ordered a part which would take 6 weeks'.
8 weeks later we were advised that this part is no longer being made, and the estate agents said 'as you can still light it with a lighter we won't replace it and you'll be alright' (!!!?????)

I said this was unnacceptable as I wasnt sticking my hand in an oven or grill and risking burns because they didn't want to buy a new oven, and they wouldn't have let it to me in this original condition. They have now confirmed the landlord is looking for a new oven.

When I chased this at the end of last month I was met with 'oh yeah, can you tell us how big the oven you currently have is?'.. so they obviously havent even started looking?

I've chased again today and Estate Agents say they can not get hold of Landlord for an answer.

in the meantime they've renewed our tenancy and increased the rent as of May.

Help

weejangus

Hi,

Sorry I can't help regarding the Oven but just a quick comment about the rental increase.

The Estate Agent I am renting from tried to increase my rent in January. I politely enquired as to why they felt it nesessary to increase the rent as the landlord had not incurred any additional costs since the let began. I was told it was their right to review the rental figure. I didn't dispute that, I simply asked again if they could justify it. I hinted that I would look elsewhere if they increased the rent and within 10 minutes of that email, they confirmed they wouldn't increase the rent.

Worth a shot - ask them to justify any increase (has the landlord had any unexpected outlays at the property or had to make any repairs?). If not, they may reconsider increasing it as they don't want the hassle of finding new tennants (or having an empty property for any length of time).

Hope you get the oven sorted! I believe they should be liable. Maybe worth checking your rental agreement which should specify the landlords responsibilities to you?

J

ognum

Monkey2801 wrote: »

We have a double oven in our rented accommodation, one being gas one electric, with a grill and 4 hob burners. On the 12th October we reported the ignition as having stopped working, meaning only the electric oven would light 'normally' and we had to use a lighter/match to light everything else - not safe.

Someone came to look at it and 'ordered a part which would take 6 weeks'.
8 weeks later we were advised that this part is no longer being made, and the estate agents said 'as you can still light it with a lighter we won't replace it and you'll be alright' (!!!?????)

I said this was unnacceptable as I wasnt sticking my hand in an oven or grill and risking burns because they didn't want to buy a new oven, and they wouldn't have let it to me in this original condition. They have now confirmed the landlord is looking for a new oven.

When I chased this at the end of last month I was met with 'oh yeah, can you tell us how big the oven you currently have is?'.. so they obviously havent even started looking?

I've chased again today and Estate Agents say they can not get hold of Landlord for an answer.

in the meantime they've renewed our tenancy and increased the rent as of May.

Help

Totally unnecessary for your to stick your hand in the oven. Gas igniters that are simple to use are readily available

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Safety-Gas-Lighter-matches-Everbright/dp/B001RI4ZPK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1455020909&sr=8-3&keywords=gas+igniters

There are hundreds to choose from.

Niv

What is wrong with using a lighter that has the longer shaft so that you go nowhere near the flame?

Monkey2801

ognum wrote: »

Totally unnecessary for your to stick your hand in the oven. Gas igniters that are simple to use are readily available

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Safety-Gas-Lighter-matches-Everbright/dp/B001RI4ZPK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1455020909&sr=8-3&keywords=gas+igniters

There are hundreds to choose from.

Not really my point.. Or am I being unrealistic in wanting an oven that works?

Rikki

Use a safety gas igniter. We have regular power cuts where we live and have been off for days, we have one of these to light the gas hob so we can still cook. Perfectly safe and easy to use.

Monkey2801

weejangus wrote: »

Hi,

Sorry I can't help regarding the Oven but just a quick comment about the rental increase.

The Estate Agent I am renting from tried to increase my rent in January. I politely enquired as to why they felt it nesessary to increase the rent as the landlord had not incurred any additional costs since the let began. I was told it was their right to review the rental figure. I didn't dispute that, I simply asked again if they could justify it. I hinted that I would look elsewhere if they increased the rent and within 10 minutes of that email, they confirmed they wouldn't increase the rent.

Worth a shot - ask them to justify any increase (has the landlord had any unexpected outlays at the property or had to make any repairs?). If not, they may reconsider increasing it as they don't want the hassle of finding new tennants (or having an empty property for any length of time).

Hope you get the oven sorted! I believe they should be liable. Maybe worth checking your rental agreement which should specify the landlords responsibilities to you?

J

We did, they argued the toss that because there were four of us living there we should pay more rent. I called their bluff as two of us were moving out (to start a new life in London!) and they agreed to same rent for 6 months and increased for 6 months.

Niv

Monkey2801 wrote: »

Not really my point.. Or am I being unrealistic in wanting an oven that works?

It works well enough from what you describe imo once you buy a lighter for a couple of quid. If it were my oven I would not buy a new one due to this I would do as suggested. Are you really saying you would spend hundreds of pounds on a new oven because of this?

ognum

As far as the rent increase is concerned, what are comparable properties letting for?

Have you been 'difficult' tenants?

Why do you want to stay if you feel the LL is not listening?

I ask these questions because rent increase is never as far as I am concerned about outlay on the property it is about comparable property prices. As a LL I find it more difficult to do a sudden large increase than to edge the price up gradually every couple of years. For the LL it's a buisness and it's about return on investment!

I seldom have 'difficult' tenants but if I did I might consider a bigger rent increase so they have to make the stay or go choice.

The LL/tenant relationship is complex, maybe for you it is the right time to move on?

ognum

Monkey2801 wrote: »

Not really my point.. Or am I being unrealistic in wanting an oven that works?

You have an oven that works and with the igniter you have perfectly safe ignition that many people use.

How much rent are you paying and where?

[Deleted User]

If it was a heating element that had gone, no of course not, as it is just an igniter.., yes.

If you had this happen and it was your oven.., would u replace it or would u buy a lighter? If so, perhaps you could consider buying a cheap one? I bought a really good one for £200 (built in electric oven). Cheaper ones are available.

As the oven still works, albeit with a broken igniter, you might find the LL is slow to react.

You could also check what part is broken and if you can locate one. It might be that the LA have been as lax about this as well. It'll be a lot cheaper. The igniters might actually just need a good clean. I steamed mine, cleaned them with a needle and they started working again (advised to do this by the guy who came round to do the yearly gas inspection).