Broken oven or cooker: what can I do?

Direct answer

If the oven or cooker came with the property (it is on your inventory or in the tenancy agreement), your landlord must keep it in working order and repair or replace it within a reasonable time once you report it. If you brought it yourself, it is your responsibility. Either way, report the fault in writing and keep a copy.

If the oven or cooker in your rented home has broken and your landlord is not doing anything about it, this guide explains your rights and the steps you can take.

Who owns the oven?

The first question is whether the oven or cooker belongs to your landlord or to you.

If the landlord supplied it: it should appear on your inventory or be included in the tenancy agreement. In this case, the landlord is responsible for keeping it in working order.

If you brought it yourself: the landlord is not responsible for repairing or replacing it. You would need to repair or replace it at your own cost.

If you are not sure, check your tenancy agreement or any inventory you signed at the start of the tenancy. If the appliance was there when you moved in, it almost certainly belongs to the landlord.

Is the landlord legally required to repair it?

The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 sets out the landlord's repair obligations. This covers the structure of the property, heating, hot water, gas and electricity installations, and sanitary fittings. Ovens and cookers are not specifically listed in the Act, but:

• If the oven is a built-in appliance (fitted into the kitchen), it is likely to be treated as part of the structure or fixtures and would fall within the landlord's duties
• If the oven or cooker is a freestanding item supplied by the landlord as part of a furnished let, the landlord has a contractual obligation to maintain it in working order

Where a landlord supplies an appliance as part of the tenancy, courts have recognised an implied obligation to keep it in reasonable repair. A broken oven that has not been fixed is a breach of that obligation.

What about gas cookers?

If the cooker is gas-powered and is not working, there may also be a safety issue. Gas appliances must be maintained safely under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Your landlord must have all gas appliances inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer at least once a year and give you a copy of the safety certificate.

If the gas cooker is faulty, report it as a safety concern as well as a disrepair matter.

Steps to take when the oven breaks

Step 1: Tell your landlord in writing

Send an email or text to your landlord or letting agent. Keep it simple:

"The oven in the kitchen has stopped working. It was working when I moved in and has been provided as part of the tenancy. Please can you arrange to repair or replace it as soon as possible."

Keep a copy. Note the date you sent it.

Step 2: Follow up if there is no response

If you do not hear back within a reasonable time, about two weeks, follow up in writing again. Say that you sent an earlier message and have not had a response, and ask again for the repair to be arranged.

Step 3: Escalate

If two or three weeks pass with no action:

• If you have a letting agent, contact them directly if you have not already
• If the property is managed by a letting agent, you can also contact the letting agent's professional body (for example, the Property Ombudsman scheme)
• If you are a social housing tenant, you can escalate to your landlord's formal complaints process and then to the Housing Ombudsman

For private tenants, you can also contact your local council's environmental health team. A broken cooker in a property where there is no other means of cooking food is a potential health hazard.

Can I deduct the cost of repairs from my rent?

No. You should not stop paying rent or deduct amounts from rent without legal advice first. Doing so can put you at risk of eviction even if you are in the right. Get advice before taking this step.

Can I claim compensation?

If a landlord-supplied oven or cooker has been broken for an extended period and the landlord has refused to repair it despite requests, this may form part of a broader housing disrepair claim. Compensation can be awarded for the inconvenience, expense of eating out or using alternative means of cooking, and the stress caused.

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

If there is disrepair in your rented home that your landlord has not fixed, including a broken landlord-supplied oven as part of a wider claim, we may be able to help.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Section 11, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (legislation.gov.uk)