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AIBU?

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Original poster

To have a cry?

72 replies

AnaisNun · 22/12/2020 20:23

Moved into a new rented property this weekend. Just me and DS (4).
It’s been hell, juggling pressure at work, move, pandemic, recruitment process for new job (didn’t get it) & the usual single mum shit.

Tonight I found out the oven in my new house doesn’t get any hotter than “a temperate breeze” and the hob doesn’t work at all. It’s not me. I’ve checked it’s switched on. I’ve checked the fuse box. I’ve fiddled and twiddled. It’s fucked.

I could scream.

Checked the oven turned on when I did the check in, obviously, but didn’t go further than that. Idiot.

Emailed agent but not sure if they’ll be able to sort by Christmas.

Don’t own a microwave or anything other than a toaster to “cook” with, so poor DS went to bed with toast, fruit and a bowl of cereal (not the end of the world I know, but it’s bloody Christmas).

Can I have a cry without being considered an utter soft head?

OP posts:
NotOfThisWorld · 22/12/2020 20:37

Have a cry by all means OP, I've cried for much less. Is there a local facebook group? Someone might have an electric tabletop oven going spare?

bloodywhitecat · 22/12/2020 20:40

I think that sounds cry-worthy, I am pretty sure I'd be a bit peed off too. Hopefully the letting agent will get back to you asap.

EssentialHummus · 22/12/2020 20:45

Oh OP. Firstly, your DS is likely living his best life on toast, fruit and cereal - my 3yo would be. Then, keep chasing the agent, be a nuisance if need be. And then get onto Facebook or Freecycle and ask about a microwave, tabletop stove or similar. How are your finances, could you spare £30 or so for an Argos microwave.

KindergartenKop · 22/12/2020 20:49

You need a slow cooker. You can do a whole chicken in it!

Polly111 · 22/12/2020 20:52

Oh no that’s awful! I don’t blame you for crying. They shouldn’t be allowed to rent out a property with no cooking facilities.

Phone the agent everyday until it’s sorted, it’s not acceptable for them to leave you without any means to cook and in the meantime post on a local Facebook group explaining the situation and see if anyone can give you a microwave/slow cooker/mini hob.

billy1966 · 22/12/2020 20:59

You poor thing.
A cry is good.

I would have already had one with that list.
Sounds exhausting.

Flowers
LoveMyKidsAndCats · 22/12/2020 21:01

Our local council have just received some covid funding for people to access for things like cookers and other essentials ( microwaves included). You don't pay it back. If you are struggling for money it's worth contacting yours to see if they have got funding too, it's there to be used and can go on gas electric or warm clothes aswell x

Mauhea · 22/12/2020 21:03

That does sound totally pants! The only thing I can suggest if you haven't tried it already is setting the clock on the oven if it has one. I moved in to a rental and the oven only worked once the clock was set... until it turned out the element had gone between the inventory being taken and me moving in! Fingers crossed the letting agency will get it sorted for you quickly and you can get settled in and enjoy the holidays.

Original poster
AnaisNun · 22/12/2020 21:29

Thanks all.

Just called exDP and wept at him on FaceTime for an hour. We’re not particularly amicable and he’s less than useless, but he at least made sympathetic noises.

I have formulated a plan between sobs and his useless mmmmhing :

  • letting agent first thing- see if they can fix
  • if they can’t, I’ll suggest I get it sorted using qualified electrician friend and I’ll get a new oven on “buy now pay later” from currys or something. It’s about £150 for something serviceable, so not beyond the realms of possibility.
  • if letting agent won’t allow THAT for whatever reason (safety or them signing off all works or whatever) I’ll buy one of those countertop microwave toaster oven/hob thingies that people always get when they’re renovating houses while we sort something more permanent. I can stick that on credit card too.
  • last resort is stick all food in a freezer bag and go to my mothers for Christmas. Not ideal but not deathly awful.

Don’t ask about finances. Speaking to stepchange in NY. Good salary but separation from ex fucked me (got lumped with all the costs of everything after he had an industrial accident, and my salary is good enough for no meaningful benefits help, but not good enough for us to stay above water)

Stuff like this brings me out in a cold financial sweat as I’m constantly borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.... Envy (not envy.)

Happy bloody Christmas

Thanks for being nice. I’ll let you know if I get to make DS his “special potatoes” (roast in goose fat) on Christmas Day Confused

OP posts:
isseys4xmastinselcats · 22/12/2020 21:35

we had this when we moved into a rented think pork in the oven for two hours red raw so as there is only two of us we bought a combined microwave convection table top oven brilliant if you can stretch to one of those they are excellent fingers crossed for you that you will be able to get the main oven sorted

LakieLady · 22/12/2020 21:42

My aunt does perfectly nice roast dinners in a halogen oven that sits on the worktop.

They're about £30-£40, I think. I contemplated buying one when my oven packed up just before Christmas last year.

FanSpamTastic · 22/12/2020 22:26

Can I suggest an instant pot? You can cook a whole chicken in them. Use as a slow cooker. Or cook quick. We use ours for soups, stews. You can use cheap cuts of meat and they come out tender.

Check the local selling pages as lots of people upgraded to new one with a frying lid and might be selling their old ones.

Original poster
AnaisNun · 22/12/2020 22:32

These are all brilliant ideas and have made me feel about a million times better. Like poor DS won’t actually starve to death on Christmas.

He looked at me when I put him to bed and said all big eyes whilst I was reading to him... “mummy... will I have to have just jam toast for my Christmas lunch?!”

Ofc that broke my heart, but more to the point, I’ve saved up for a guard of lamb and a proper cheeseboard. No way am I forgoing that for jam toast. I’ll set up a fire pit in the garden if I have to!

OP posts:
SamanthaJayne4 · 22/12/2020 22:48

You can buy a mini oven with rings on the top. I bought one for my dad when the housing association installed a rubbish cooker. He passed away a couple of years ago and my nephew has it now. I got it from The Range. Plenty big enough for one or two people. This is a real nuisance for you OP. I hope you can sort something out.

Original poster
AnaisNun · 22/12/2020 23:04

Thanks @SamanthaJayne4 ...it’s so annoying because the house is lovely. The village is amazing— a brass band came to the middle of the square (unannounced) and played carols earlier tonight all socially distanced and carrying lanterns - properly magical (cried again... what a knob), and it’s perfect in almost every way.
Just a shame I can’t cook anything more exciting than a pot noodle... Envy

Thanks for being kind

OP posts:
partyatthepalace · 22/12/2020 23:22

Oh no! So sorry OP -

Lots of good ideas here. Was just going to say that if you’d be buying a microwave anyway and can find the cash now, you can get one that’s an oven as well - I use mine all the time. It’s dry so not as good as a slow cooker for roasting a chicken for example - but v handy.

Roominmyhouse · 22/12/2020 23:24

Do you know anyone local who could lend you anything? I’ve got a camping stove and slow cooker I’d lend to someone in this situation. I’m sure other people would too?

IToldYouIWantedTheUnicorn · 22/12/2020 23:29

OP, I've got one of those plug in hob things you can have for free if you're anywhere near me. I'm in Norfolk, are you anywhere nearby?

binkyblinky · 22/12/2020 23:32

OP I wish you were close in Milton Keynes. You can have my microwave, infact, I'd bring you both Christmas dinner!
I'm sure if someone in the village knew, they would help you x

changedmynameforChristmas · 22/12/2020 23:33

OP It's a blip but a bloody big one. My heart broke a bit reading this. I hope you get sorted out. Christmas is a bad time for anything to go wrong, but it will be over before you know it. We all have this image of perfection and think everyone else has a better more organised life but we do not.

If it helps a little, I can't cook a turkey to save my bloody life, and I have only bought two presents. My lockdown hair looks a chuffing mess, and the cat has started using the corner of our TV room as a toilet.
The tap in the bathroom is dripping and we can't get into it to stop it.
My son borrowed my car and returned it filthy inside and out, and some of the lights on the tree have stopped working.
We have to use a pair of pliers on our grill and the gutter on the side of the house is blocked so when it rains there is a waterfall outside the window.
Oh happy days

TokenGinger · 22/12/2020 23:36

Where are you based, OP? Somebody on here might be able to help.

If not, do you have Amazon Prime?

Mini oven for £35 and plug in hob for £28, both with delivery by 24th.

If you don't have a Prime, I'm sure you can sign up to a month's free trial, just make sure you cancel it immediately after so that you don't get charged next month.

www.amazon.co.uk/BTO-109N-Tabletop-Portable-100-230%C2%B0-Stainless/dp/B08NF983YY

www.amazon.co.uk/Russell-Hobbs-Plate-Mini-15199/dp/B002KGP60G

thesunwillout · 22/12/2020 23:37

Yes those halogen spaceship counter top things are amazing.
I used one for a few weeks this time last year when my oven packed up.

About 30-40 quid.

Q2020 · 22/12/2020 23:40

Probably not nearby but if you're in Lancashire I have a brand new halogen oven thing you're welcome to

TheGremlinsAreComing · 22/12/2020 23:43

Slow cooker, £13 at wilkos, it's bloody brilliant!