Broken Cooker or Oven: Is the Landlord Responsible?
Driscoll Kingston & Co Limited · 1 August 2026 · 7 min read
Who owns and repairs the cooker?
Use the inventory and tenancy agreement. Landlords must ensure appliances they supply are safe. Repair responsibility may also arise from the contract or fitness standards where the cooker is an essential provided facility.
What counts as urgent?
Gas leaks, electric shock, scorching and fire risk require emergency action. A non-dangerous failed oven should still be reported promptly, particularly where no other safe cooking facility exists or occupants are vulnerable.
What if the tenant caused the fault?
A landlord may seek the cost where misuse or damage is proved. Ordinary wear, component failure and poor maintenance are different. Do not dismantle the appliance to identify the cause.
What evidence helps?
Keep the inventory, model details, fault codes, repair messages, engineer findings and reasonable food receipts. Do not repeatedly reproduce a dangerous symptom.
Can extra food costs be claimed?
Potentially where breach and causation are shown. Deduct normal household food spending and keep receipts. See financial-loss evidence.
This article provides general legal information only. It does not constitute legal advice on any specific case. Awaab's Law Claims Specialists is a trading name of Driscoll Kingston & Co Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 839699).
