range top and oven too hot?

My oven is inconsistent when turned to a temp and I think it's because of the door but I am more concerned about my range top. When the oven is on my range top gets so hot that you can't leave anything on it or I feel that it will eventually catch on fire. You cannot set your hands on top for more than a second and butter will actually start to melt if sitting in a dish. This is a GE stove and it is in a rental apartment and I want to know if this is a safety hazard