Landlord/tenant people *UPDATE, YAY!*

[MrsPotatohead]

I'm wondering what my 'rights' are in this (not serious) situation. We rent a duplex, it's an older home, we knew it wasn't all brand new and go along with random weird things that happen. The oven is driving me crazy though. It's old and has gotten worse over the year we've lived there. The gist of it is that when the light goes off to tell you it's ready, it's up to 50 degrees too low and then over the course of it being on, will go up to 50 degrees too hot. You all know how much I love baking... this is so annoying and it's not even consistent so it's not like I can just set it to be X degrees off all the time. I have ruined too many things.

I did email our landlord and the fix-it guy (who has worked with landlord a long time and seems to be the decision maker for a lot of things, he's AWESOME and always really fast), he said he'd look at it and did come out. I asked for an update a month ago and he said he was still discussing it with landlord. I'm not saying I need a lawyer to write up our demands (lol) about this, I just want to know how far I can push to have it fixed (which is kind of a joke, I doubt you could, most likely it would need to be replaced and this landlord is pretty cheap so I doubt he wants to do that). I get that it isn't a safety issue or critical for most people and there probably aren't laws for this, but it seems kind of dumb that I should be stuck with something that barely works properly. Especially since he just raised the rent and we pay a decent amount to live there. Thoughts? Do I just play nice and ask again?

*I admit that we've probably been spoiled with living in places with reasonable landlords, so maybe this is just normal and I'm just supposed to deal with it (it still seems stupid though!).

[georgeharrison]

First off, I have been thinking about you. It seems like you haven't been around lately, and I've missed you. So, HI!

Second, I'm not sure that it isn't a fire hazard. If it is getting hotter than it is set at, it seems like it could be a thermostat issue and if it's on the fritz, it could just get hotter and hotter. (We had something kind of similar happen with our new-ish oven and, at times, it would get SUPER HOT...like 500 when it was set at 350.)

I think this is something that you should definitely push to get solved. Oven prices range a lot, so your landlord could easily get a new one for not too much. He could get a scratch/dent type one for even less.

I would indicated to him that you are uncomfortable with the temp not being as it should be and are worried that if these variations happen, that it could be a defect that could potentially make it get way too hot which would be a fire hazard.

[Deleted]

Also if it comes to cooking poultry and stuff and its undercooked that could potentially be a health hazard.

[MrsPotatohead]

Jul 20, 2016 13:33:10 GMT -5 georgeharrison said:

First off, I have been thinking about you. It seems like you haven't been around lately, and I've missed you. So, HI!

Second, I'm not sure that it isn't a fire hazard. If it is getting hotter than it is set at, it seems like it could be a thermostat issue and if it's on the fritz, it could just get hotter and hotter. (We had something kind of similar happen with our new-ish oven and, at times, it would get SUPER HOT...like 500 when it was set at 350.)

I think this is something that you should definitely push to get solved. Oven prices range a lot, so your landlord could easily get a new one for not too much. He could get a scratch/dent type one for even less.

I would indicated to him that you are uncomfortable with the temp not being as it should be and are worried that if these variations happen, that it could be a defect that could potentially make it get way too hot which would be a fire hazard.

hi! I've just been doing less on 'social media' in general these days, also my life is kind of boring so I don't usually have a whole lot to post about, lol

Thanks for the input guys - I was trying to decide whether I could really argue that there was some kind of hazard (I also thought about the food thing, but wondered if he'd just eye roll)
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[spa]

The tenant laws say this
(8) Maintain all electrical, plumbing, heating, and other facilities and appliances supplied by him or her in reasonably good working order;

apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.060

So, I mean if it doesn't work how it is supposed to it can be considered failing? I would follow up and be like hey I don't think this is safe because it is not reliable. Just have it in writing, like an email, so he has to respond in writing.

[MrsPotatohead]

Jul 20, 2016 20:39:18 GMT -5 spunbutterfly said:

As a once landlord, I would have gotten this fixed. However, given that it's not, in my opinion, serious and is still in working order (just not perfectly), I would probably buy my tenants an oven and meat thermometer and say have fun, if it could not be repaired and would have to be completely replaced.

I mean, I got an oven thermometer to try to at least figure out what was going on, which is how I know it's so off. I'm ok dealing with meat etc, but it's ruined things like cupcakes and other desserts

Thanks for the feedback, I think I'll try to ask one more time!

[awick14]

As a landlord I would replace the stove/oven. I may not replace it instantly but within a reasonable time period. (1-2 weeks.)

When I rented we had an oven stop working and my landlord replaced it with a (used) oven within 4-5 days. I was more then happy with that.

[InBetweenDays]

As a landlord we would definitely fix or replace the oven. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for a reliable oven. I'd push harder.

[MrsPotatohead]

Jul 21, 2016 12:17:45 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

As a landlord we would definitely fix or replace the oven. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for a reliable oven. I'd push harder.

thanks for this, I wasn't sure if I was just a crazy baker
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[MrsPotatohead]

Guys. My landloard is SUCH a DB. This was his response (after emailing again because I hadn't heard back):

"Sorry for my delayed response. What you describe is normal. Ovens regulate temperature by turning on and off. They don't stay constant. There is also always cooler and warmer areas in an oven. See, for instance www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2012/08/bake_at_350_degrees_oven_temperature_is_uncontrollable_and_we_should_stop_trying_to_micromanage_it_.html
Thanks."

Thanks for the stupid article. I know how ovens work, the one I have is crap. Citing a Slate article?! LOL

What should I say back?

[picksthemusic]

Oh that's frustrating. I would let him know what you've done to correct the issue yourself (getting the oven thermometer, etc), and how much food you've ruined by using the oven. It's a waste of your time and food ($$) to use the oven. It's not just 10-20° off, it's 50! It's not unreasonable to expect your oven to hold a temperature long enough to bake something (who cares if it's a soufflé or cut-and-bake cookies). You should be able to cook whatever the eff you want in your kitchen that you pay him to keep working.

[MrsPotatohead]

Aug 3, 2016 16:31:47 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

Oh that's frustrating. I would let him know what you've done to correct the issue yourself (getting the oven thermometer, etc), and how much food you've ruined by using the oven. It's a waste of your time and food ($$) to use the oven. It's not just 10-20° off, it's 50! It's not unreasonable to expect your oven to hold a temperature long enough to bake something (who cares if it's a soufflé or cut-and-bake cookies). You should be able to cook whatever the eff you want in your kitchen that you pay him to keep working.

Exactly. Also, I'VE USED OVENS BEFORE DUDE, THIS IS NOT NORMAL. DON'T TELL ME HOW OVENS WORK. Condescending @*(&$!()!@.

He owns a ton of properties and charges a pretty penny for rent, so I know he's just being stingy. I just don't know the best way to word a response Send him an article of a scientific evaluation of how ovens should work? And it's not just fluctuating, it just gets hotter over time. UGH.
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[awick14]

Maybe call the tenancy board and see what they say before you respond back. To me the oven being off this much means that it's not working properly and it needs to be replaced. But I would ask what they say just to be sure.

[MrsPotatohead]

Aug 3, 2016 18:06:19 GMT -5 awick14 said:

Maybe call the tenancy board and see what they say before you respond back. To me the oven being off this much means that it's not working properly and it needs to be replaced. But I would ask what they say just to be sure.

This is great, didn't know about that, thanks!

[piffka]

Aug 3, 2016 15:49:26 GMT -5 MrsPotatohead said:

Guys. My landloard is SUCH a DB. This was his response (after emailing again because I hadn't heard back):

"Sorry for my delayed response. What you describe is normal. Ovens regulate temperature by turning on and off. They don't stay constant. There is also always cooler and warmer areas in an oven. See, for instance www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2012/08/bake_at_350_degrees_oven_temperature_is_uncontrollable_and_we_should_stop_trying_to_micromanage_it_.html
Thanks."

Thanks for the stupid article. I know how ovens work, the one I have is crap. Citing a Slate article?! LOL

What should I say back?

I think you should follow exactly the steps outlined in the Seattle Landlord-Tenant Laws, including a written letter, not just an email, that says you have checked with Tenancy Board, outlines exactly what you've said here, including your previous communications via email, and then say that he does not seem to understand that this is not a normal oven fluctuation, that the oven used to work normally and has changed over time, and YOU SEE THIS AS A HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUE. Be sure to emphasize that! I might even send it as a registered letter.

Good Luck. FWIW - I am a landlady and would already have bought you a used oven off of Craigslist. Here's a link but you probably already have this: 
www.seattle.gov/dpd/cs/groups/pan/@pan/documents/web_informational/dpdd016420.pdfSaveSave

[MrsPotatohead]

piffka thanks so much, appreciate the help!

My H is worried now about whether I should 'escalate' and 'get on his bad side' because we're month to month now, like he'd kick us out for complaining...? That seems kind of crazy. I feel like as long as I'm professional about it I'd like to think the landlord would handle it well... I'm doing my own experiment right now and reading online to figure out exactly what I think is wrong so I have a more specific complaint (I think the sensor might be broken).

[piffka]

MrsPotatohead, I hope that wouldn't happen. Of course, it would be illegal, but who wants to go through all that hassle? I assume you are in Seattle, where I've heard the rents are sky-rocketing. Ugh. And if you have a lower rent, he might be inclined to do just what your DH worries about... using some tactic like raising the rent or saying he has to update the apartment.

For about $200 or less there are a bunch of Seattle CraigsList stoves -- a couple even offer delivery. Maybe you should buy one yourself and ask your landlord where he'd like to store the defective one and maybe that would shame him so that he'd offer to pay for the replacement. At least he would know you are serious.

Good luck!!!

[MrsPotatohead]

So I sat on it for a week or so to just make sure I was calm and then wrote a really nice email. Just heard back that we're getting a new oven!

I can't help feeling nervous, like I hope he's not being all crotchety and mad about it, but at least we didn't get evicted lol

[georgeharrison]

Aug 17, 2016 21:08:11 GMT -5 MrsPotatohead said:

So I sat on it for a week or so to just make sure I was calm and then wrote a really nice email. Just heard back that we're getting a new oven!

I can't help feeling nervous, like I hope he's not being all crotchety and mad about it, but at least we didn't get evicted lol

Booyah!  Awesome.  Let the baking commence.  

[awick14]

That's awesome! I hope your landlord doesn't hold this over you.

[MrsPotatohead]

Aug 18, 2016 3:32:08 GMT -5 awick14 said:

That's awesome! I hope your landlord doesn't hold this over you.

me too... I feel like a normal person should be reasonable about this, but I can't help feeling a little nervous I kind of want him to come see how well we've taken care of the place - heck, we've improved it drastically and spent our own money!
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