Questions about a cooker often begin with a simple yes or no, but the useful answer depends on the accommodation, the agreement and the applicable requirements. A whole-home letting and an HMO may need different checks. Before advertising or moving in, establish which cooking facilities are supplied and who is responsible for them.
Use a clear inventory. Identify the oven, hob and any other supplied appliances, with photographs and a note of their condition. Distinguish a landlord’s appliance from an item brought by the tenant. A vague description such as “kitchen included” can leave both parties uncertain when something stops working.
Check the tenancy wording alongside current official repair guidance. Contract language should not be assumed to remove legal responsibilities. If the property is an HMO, check the relevant local council’s requirements and licence conditions for cooking provision, as well as any wider duties that apply to the accommodation.
At handover, provide the operating instructions where available and explain the reporting process. Tell the occupier whom to contact if the appliance fails and how an urgent safety concern should be raised. Keep the model details and service information accessible so that a repair visit does not begin with a search for basic identification.
A fault should be assessed according to its nature and risk. Do not encourage a tenant to keep using an appliance that appears unsafe. Gas work requires the appropriate qualified professional, and electrical installation or repair should be handled by a suitably competent person. Improvised repairs can create a larger problem than the original breakdown.
Where replacement is needed, confirm dimensions, connections and installation arrangements before ordering. Record what was removed and what was fitted, and update the inventory. Agree practical access for the work rather than assuming unrestricted entry.
The aim is a usable, properly managed cooking arrangement with clear records. For a disputed responsibility, seek advice on the particular agreement and property instead of relying on a universal rule from an old blog post.
Source and further reading: https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/repairs