Is it normal for bathroom fans in a flat to be on 24/7? Since moving in here, both bathroom fans run around the clock. The bathrooms have no windows, so could they have been set up this way on purpose or are they malfunctioning in some way?

In some places they run on a time clock, but that can be a nuisance. Anyone showering early or late cannot get rid of the steam and if it hangs around for hours the chance of having mould in the grouting is increased.

They are normally on a timer so its worth checking out with your agent, just in case you are paying extra for the electric.

Conversely, if the fans didn't work at all you'd call the landlord, so seeing as they're on all the time perhaps call the landlord

Will do. First I have to do the ghost check in case I need a ghostbuster instead though.

My block has some weird 1960s experiment going on, whereby each flat has a kitchen and bathroom vent, all connected by conduits to a huge extraction fan in the attic, which runs 24x7.

It doesn't generate enough suction to do anything very useful. For example a single piece of toilet paper held up against the kitchen vent still wafts gently to the floor.

I think you should ask the land lord or the janetor, they would know best.

Thought I'd provide an update in case anyone is desperately waiting to hear the outcome of my fan situation. ;p

I first turned everything off at the electric box to check if it was powered under my electric or not. Fans were still on.

It turns out they are meant to be on 24/7.

So now you just need to wire all your other appliances into the fan to get free electricity!

Glad all is well with your fan situation.
I actually read this cos I thought it was a thread for people who love bathrooms, thought there would be some tips for relaxation and pampering!

I was just about to post that I'm a big fan of bathrooms
( I do some of my best reading in there )

It's most likely designed to maintain a low constant negative pressure that extracts vapour laden air.

It's doubtful that the designers saw a need for it to blast sheets of toilet paper high into the sky. Although it sounds as if that could be entertaining under some circumstances.

You'd still have to pay for the 24/7 buzz yourself.

Sort of. I believe this is part of the communal electricity/nebenkosten cost.