Someone staying for a few weeks
If you’re not yet sure where you’ll use the appliance after this, look into borrowing one or finding a local hire option before buying. ADEME recommends considering these options for items you won’t use very often.
Who are these options for?
A household that needs to equip its home quickly
If you need to do the laundry or keep food fresh as soon as you move in, when you can get the appliance matters just as much as its size. Check the delivery date, access to its intended spot and any connections it needs.
Someone considering a second-hand appliance
If you can check the appliance’s condition and arrange transport, find out who is selling it too. In France, as the Ministry of the Economy points out, the statutory conformity guarantee for sales by a trader does not apply to private sales.
What should you consider after moving house?
How long you expect to use the appliance will help guide your choice, but you also need to be able to get it, install it and use it in your new home.
Borrowing
Consider it: for a few days or an occasional task, if you can borrow a suitable appliance from someone you know or through a local network.
Bear in mind: agree how long you can borrow it for and how transport will be arranged. Don’t assume a large appliance will be available nearby.
Hiring
Consider it: if the contract length suits your stay and the delivery and collection arrangements meet your needs.
Bear in mind: Boulanger Location states that contracts run for 12 to 36 months, depending on the product. A long-term hire agreement may not be suitable for just a few weeks.
Second-hand or refurbished
Consider it: if you plan to keep the appliance and can check its condition and arrange collection or delivery.
Bear in mind: check whether you’re buying from a trader or a private seller. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the statutory conformity guarantee does not apply to private sales.
Repairing
Consider it: if you already own an appliance that could meet your needs once it’s back in working order.
Bear in mind: a diagnosis will help you compare the repair time with how urgently you need to get set up.
Buying new
Consider it: if you’ll need the appliance for the long term and want to choose the exact dimensions and capacity.
Bear in mind: check that the appliance will fit, and look at its energy label and any model-specific durability information.
| Factor | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Duration and flexibility | Compare how long you expect to use the appliance with the length of any commitment and the return arrangements. | If I’m moving out soon, I want to avoid being left with an appliance I no longer need; around 36% of consumers would put this flexibility first. |
| Access and installation | Check the delivery date, the model’s dimensions, whether it can be brought into your home and any connections it requires. | When laundry or food can’t wait, what matters most to me is having an appliance I can use as soon as possible; around 29% of consumers would prioritise this continuity. |
| Condition and protection | For a second-hand appliance, ask to test its essential functions and identify the seller. If it’s a fridge or freezer, check that it works before storing food in it. | With an appliance that’s already been used, I want to know whether it works and what protection applies to the sale; around 21% of consumers would make this their first consideration. |
| Long-term use and repairs | If you already own the appliance, have the fault assessed. If you’re buying an appliance to last, check its energy label and any durability information for the model. | If I need an appliance for the long term, I’d rather look into whether it can be repaired and what features support extended use; around 14% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing long-term hire with a temporary stopgap
Boulanger Location states that contracts run for 12 to 36 months, depending on the product. So if you need an appliance for just a few weeks, you could end up tied into an agreement that lasts far longer than you intend to use it.
Before signing, compare the contract length and end-of-contract terms with your moving-in schedule, and check the delivery date.
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Buying second-hand without checking who the seller is
In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the statutory conformity guarantee covers second-hand goods sold by a trader to a private individual, but not sales between private individuals.
Identify the seller, keep the sales documents and ask to test the appliance’s essential functions.
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Ordering a large appliance without checking access
The stated capacity won’t tell you whether a washing machine will fit through the doors and into its designated spot. Dimensions vary between models, even within the same category.
Measure the space and the route to it, then compare them with the exact dimensions of your chosen model and its connection requirements.
If the appliance won’t fit, you may need to arrange alternative transport or find a replacement.
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Replacing an appliance without checking the one you already have
If the appliance met your needs before it broke down, replacing it straight away means missing the chance to get it working again.
Ask for a diagnosis and check how long the repair will take before deciding whether this option suits the urgency of your move.
Brands to consider for hire
These brands feature in the washing machine hire options listed by Boulanger Location. Your choice will depend on the model and hire terms, not just the brand name.
LG
One option to explore among the front-loading washing machines and washer-dryers listed by Boulanger Location.
- Model listings let you compare details such as dimensions and capacity.
- Check the specifications of the model on offer and the terms that apply to delivery in your area.
Miele
A brand featured in Boulanger Location’s washing machine range.
- An option to consider if you’re thinking of hiring a washing machine.
- Check the model, the contract and whether delivery is available to your address.
Whirlpool
Another brand featured in Boulanger Location’s selection of washing machines.
- You can explore its models when looking for a hire option.
- Compare the exact appliance’s dimensions and capacity, along with the contract terms.
Samsung
Samsung washing machines feature in the range listed by Boulanger Location.
- Published dimensions for a model make it easy to check whether it will fit your space.
- A model’s inclusion in the range doesn’t mean that every appliance in the collection will suit your home.
Bosch
An option to consider if you’re looking for a washer-dryer, featured in the range described by Boulanger Location.
- The model listed has a 10.5 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
- Check both capacities separately: the washing capacity doesn’t tell you how much laundry it can dry.
An appliance for occasional laundry needs
This portable, foldable washing machine is designed for doing laundry in temporary accommodation or while travelling. Check that its size suits your laundry and the installation options available; it’s just one of the equipment solutions covered in this article.
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10 L portable, foldable mini washing machine
Worth considering for occasional laundry in temporary accommodation, if the amount of laundry and the installation requirements suit your needs.
The product title lists three operating times of 2, 5 and 10 min, a 40 W motor, 320 rpm and a draining basket.
Before choosing it for your laundry, check what the 10 L refers to, as well as the dimensions and any connections required.
Frequently asked questions
Is a second-hand washing machine bought from a trader covered by a statutory guarantee?
Yes. In France, the statutory conformity guarantee applies to second-hand goods sold by a trader to a private individual, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. It does not apply to sales between private individuals, so check who the seller is before you buy.
Is hiring suitable for a few weeks after moving house?
Not necessarily: Boulanger Location states that contracts run for 12 to 36 months, depending on the product. If you’re setting up home for just a few weeks, check whether borrowing or hiring locally for a shorter period would suit the appliance and timeframe you need. ADEME lists these as options for occasional needs.
Which appliances could you hire or look for second-hand?
Boulanger Location lists washing machines, washer-dryers and vacuum cleaners among its hire options. For second-hand appliances, ADEME lists places selling both small and large household appliances. Contact your chosen seller or centre to find out what’s available near you.
What should you check before using a second-hand or borrowed fridge?
Clean it and make sure it’s cooling properly before putting perishable food inside. Then check that the temperature is suitable for the food you’re storing: the French Ministry of Agriculture highlights the consumer’s role in maintaining the cold chain.