For a temporary stay, renting may suit you if the contract term fits your likely departure date and delivery, installation and collection save you the hassle of arranging everything yourself. If you can keep or resell the appliance, compare the cost of buying new or second-hand too. Add up the costs for the whole period, and check your return or early termination obligations before deciding.
Your departure date, the space available and whether you can deal with an appliance after your stay all matter more than the contract type alone.
You know your stay is temporary, but not exactly when it will end. For a large appliance, an arranged collection can save you having to organise transport or a sale. However, check what the contract says if you leave early.
Keeping the initial payment low matters to you, but a monthly payment alone doesn’t tell you what the total cost will be by the time you leave. Compare the commitment period and the amounts payable under each option.
You can arrange delivery and installation, then sell, donate or trade in the appliance. Owning it gives you these options, but you’ll need to organise them yourself.
Start by estimating how long you’re likely to stay, then look separately at the services available when the appliance arrives and your obligations when you leave.
Consider it: if you only need the appliance temporarily and the offer includes the installation and collection services you need at your address.
The trade-off: you must meet the minimum term and return conditions. With Boulanger Location, you can’t buy the appliance at the end of the contract.
Consider it: if you can keep the appliance after your stay or arrange to pass it on, without having to meet a specific return date.
The trade-off: check what delivery and installation services are available, then plan what you’ll do with the appliance when you leave.
Consider it: if you can check the appliance’s condition and dimensions, and find out what installation involves, before committing.
Bear in mind: according to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity also applies to second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer. So check who the seller is.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Contract term and ending the arrangement | Minimum term, contract start date, notice period and consequences of leaving early; collection arrangements. | If my departure date changes, I want to be able to leave the property without arranging the resale of a large appliance. Around 36% of consumers put this flexibility first. |
| Total costs over time | Initial payment and monthly payments over the expected period, plus any delivery and end-of-contract costs; if buying, possible resale proceeds, without assuming a sale is guaranteed. | An affordable monthly payment isn’t enough for me: I want to know what each option will cost up to the time I leave. Around 29% of consumers make cost visibility their priority. |
| Services and transport | Delivery to your address, access to the property, installation, breakdown support and collection when you leave. | For a bulky appliance, I’d rather have installation and collection arranged than deal with transport myself. Around 21% of consumers put having this logistics taken care of first. |
| Ownership and guarantees | Seller’s identity and proof of purchase; for a rental, any option to buy and accessories that must be returned. | I want the option to keep or pass on the appliance, and to know what protection comes with my purchase. Around 14% of consumers prioritise having control over the appliance and what happens to it next. |
The National Consumer Institute points out that the cost of a long-term rental can eventually exceed the cost of buying the appliance. With Boulanger Location, the initial payment includes, among other things, the deposit and first monthly payment.
Compare the amounts due up to a realistic departure date with all the costs of buying and getting rid of the appliance. If you’re considering reselling it, treat that as a possibility rather than guaranteed income.
Being able to cancel online doesn’t tell you what the notice period is or what the contractual consequences of ending the agreement early might be. The National Consumer Institute advises checking these clauses.
Before signing, ask what payments and documents would be required if you left before the end of the contract, and keep a copy of the terms you accepted.
An appliance may be the right fit for the space, but it also needs to get through the entrances and be installed using the connections available. The service offered may vary depending on the type of appliance and your address.
Measure the space, doors and access routes. Check access to upper floors, as well as the water supply, drainage or electrical socket needed for your chosen appliance.
The Ministry of the Economy says the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer. Don’t assume the same terms apply to private sales.
Check who the seller is before buying, inspect the appliance’s condition and accessories, and keep proof of the transaction.
These services offer different plans and contract terms. Check the offer that matches your appliance, address and departure date.
A long-term rental service offering washing machines, fridges, dishwashers and ovens, among other appliances.
A rental provider offering small and large appliances, including fridges, washing machines and dishwashers.
An in-store offer for furniture and appliances, subject to an assessment and approval of your application by the rental provider named by BUT.
These compact appliances are options to buy for a kitchen or a small amount of laundry in temporary accommodation. Their inclusion here doesn’t settle the question of whether to buy or rent: check that they can be installed in your home and decide what you’ll do with them when you leave.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you need a countertop dishwasher for a kitchen where a permanent connection is tricky. The product lists a 5 L tank and 5+1 wash cycles. Check the available space, your preferred water supply method and how the water will drain.
Image unavailable
Consider this if you’d like a countertop appliance with a choice of programmes. The product name mentions 8 programmes, a built-in water softener and a delay start. Check the dimensions, water supply, drainage and electrical compatibility before buying.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you have a small amount of washing up and the stated capacity of 3 place settings suits your needs. This is described as a countertop model. Measure the space and check the water supply and drainage before deciding.
Image unavailable
Consider this for small loads of laundry during a temporary stay, making sure it’s suitable for the clothes you need to wash. The product name lists a 10 L capacity and three cycle times of 2, 5 and 10 minutes. Check its size, water supply and drainage requirements.
It may be a good fit if you only need the appliance for the duration of your stay and the contract includes services that save you having to transport or resell it. The National Consumer Institute mentions setting up a student’s accommodation as one example, while noting that a long-term rental can cost more than buying.
No. Check which services are available for the appliance and address in question. Boulanger Location advertises these services for some categories of large appliances, including collection from your home. Orent advertises delivery and installation on its category pages. Confirm the terms of the offer before ordering.
Return the appliance in the condition and with the items specified in your contract. The National Consumer Institute advises checking the requirements for normal wear and tear; Boulanger Location, for example, requires accessories to be returned. Keep a list of them from the day of delivery.
Yes. According to the Ministry of the Economy, this guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer. Check who the seller is and keep your proof of purchase. Don’t assume the same terms apply to a private sale.
If you’re buying an appliance to replace an old one, ask the retailer about taking it back. Service-Public.fr says the retailer must take back the old appliance free of charge when you buy a new one. Check the practical arrangements before parting with the old appliance.