If you’re living in temporary accommodation, first check which appliances are provided or shared, then compare buying and renting based on when you’ll be leaving. According to the National Consumer Institute, renting can meet a short-term need, but it generally doesn’t give you ownership of the appliance and can become expensive if the rental period is extended. Buying means you can keep or resell the appliance, provided you can arrange transport or a sale.
When you’re leaving and what’s already in the accommodation have a greater impact on your decision than the type of appliance alone.
If you have a rough idea of when you’ll be leaving, plan ahead for what you’ll need to uninstall, transport, resell or return. For a bulky appliance, arranging its return can matter just as much as using it during your stay.
If you can afford to buy an appliance, compare what you’ll actually pay up to the day you leave with all the payments due under a rental agreement. Reselling only reduces the cost of buying if you can realistically arrange it.
Before placing an order, find out which appliances are already there, which are shared and which are genuinely missing. Also ask who is responsible for a provided appliance if it breaks down.
Start by checking what’s already in the accommodation. For each appliance you need, compare renting, buying new and buying second-hand, taking into account how long you’ll be staying, what you’ll need to do when you leave and whether you can keep the appliance.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving without having to transport an appliance | Compare the end of the rental commitment with your move-out date, then check how the appliance will be collected and what condition it must be in when returned. | I know when I’m leaving and don’t want to uninstall a bulky appliance to sell it. Of those equipping temporary accommodation, around 36% would prioritise the convenience of an easy move-out. |
| Cost over the length of your stay | Compare the rental payments and obligations with the cost of buying an appliance, including delivery and installation. Only factor in resale if it’s a realistic option. | I want to know what each option will cost me up to the day I leave, rather than comparing one monthly payment with the purchase price. Around 29% of shoppers would put the total cost first. |
| An appliance to keep or resell | Check the dimensions, whether you can transport it and, if buying second-hand, whether the seller is a business or a private individual. | I’d like to use the appliance elsewhere or be able to resell it after my stay, even if that means some extra effort. This would be the top priority for around 21% of shoppers. |
| Appliances already available | Ask for an inventory and confirm the condition and terms of use for any appliances provided or shared. | Before buying anything, I want to avoid having an appliance delivered when the accommodation already has one. For around 14% of shoppers, checking what’s available would come before other considerations. |
According to the National Consumer Institute, a long rental period can end up costing more than the appliance itself. A monthly payment alone doesn’t tell you how long you’re committed for or which services are included.
Work out the cost up to your move-out date, comparing like-for-like appliances and services. Include all required payments and any financial terms that apply if you end the agreement.
Depending on the offer, an initial payment, minimum rental period or collection fee can change the total cost of renting.
You don’t automatically own a rented appliance when your agreement ends. Boulanger Location says in its FAQ that its offers don’t include an option to buy, while Airnest offers this option on some rentals.
If you want to keep the appliance, check the terms of return or purchase in the offer you’ve chosen, and confirm which accessories must be returned.
The National Consumer Institute recommends checking the terms for ending an agreement early, which repairs are covered and the condition the appliance must be in when returned. A shorter-than-planned stay doesn’t necessarily end the obligations set out in your agreement.
Before signing, check the procedure that applies to your move-out date and address. Keep a copy of the terms you’ve agreed to and record the condition of the appliance when it’s delivered.
Your agreement may include financial obligations if you end it early or return the appliance in an unacceptable condition.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies, among other things, to second-hand goods bought from a business. It doesn’t apply to private sales, as the Ministry of the Economy points out.
Identify the seller before you buy. Ask for any available documentation, the appliance’s model reference and condition, then check that its dimensions and connections are suitable for your accommodation.
These services offer examples of rental agreements for household appliances. Check the rental period, services and coverage area for the appliance and address you have in mind.
Boulanger Location offers appliances including washing machines, dishwashers and fridges for rent.
BUT offers long-term rentals on some household appliances.
HomeCycle offers washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and fridges for rent.
Orent offers small and large household appliances for varying rental periods.
Airnest offers furniture and appliances such as washing machines, fridges and ovens for rent.
These appliances available to buy could suit occasional needs: a worktop dishwasher, a small foldable washing machine or a portable fridge. Before choosing, check that an appliance isn’t already provided and that you can install, use and move it when you leave.
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Worth considering if you need a worktop dishwasher rather than a built-in model. The product name specifies a built-in 5 L water tank and 5+1 cycles. Check that you have enough space and can drain the water in your accommodation.
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Its worktop design may suit a small kitchen where a built-in dishwasher isn’t practical. The product name specifies a 5 L water tank, 6+3 programmes and a D energy rating. Check the available space, socket and water drainage before installing it.
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This worktop model could suit accommodation where installing a built-in dishwasher would be difficult. The product name specifies eight programmes, a built-in water softener and a delay-start function. Check that you have a stable space for it and the necessary water supply and drainage arrangements.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a small foldable appliance rather than a full-size washing machine. The product name specifies a 10 L capacity, 2-, 5- or 10-minute wash cycles and a drain basket. Check its dimensions when open and folded, its power supply and how to drain the water.
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This portable fridge may be worth considering if you’re planning to move the appliance after your stay. The product name specifies two zones, a 12/24 V or 100–240 V power supply and a C energy rating. Check its dimensions and ventilation requirements, and make sure the power supply is compatible with the space you have in mind.
Rental offers may cover several types of large household appliances. Boulanger Location offers washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, freezers, ovens and hobs, among other products; HomeCycle also offers tumble dryers. Check the dimensions, availability and delivery to your address before choosing an appliance.
Work out what you’ll owe up to the end of each commitment, even if your stay ends sooner. Compare like-for-like appliances and services, including rental payments and fees against the cost of buying, installing and transporting an appliance. Only factor in a possible resale if you can arrange it. The National Consumer Institute points out that an extended rental can cost more than the appliance itself.
You can only keep it if your agreement includes an option to buy and you meet its conditions. Boulanger Location says appliances must be returned and there’s no option to buy, while Airnest offers this option on its rentals. Check the terms for the appliance you’ve chosen.
Responsibility depends on your rental agreement. Some services say they cover breakdowns or provide after-sales support. Check which repairs are covered, what’s excluded, what maintenance you’re responsible for and what to do if the appliance breaks down.
Yes. In France, it applies to a second-hand or refurbished appliance bought by a consumer from a business, subject to the conditions set out by law. Service-Public.fr states that the fault must appear within two years of the goods being delivered; the Ministry of the Economy points out that this guarantee doesn’t cover private sales. Make sure you identify the seller and keep your proof of purchase.