Before renting or buying, check which appliances are already provided if you’re moving into furnished accommodation. For a temporary need, renting can save you the hassle of transport and resale, provided the rental period and services suit your stay. If you want to keep or resell the appliance, compare the total cost of buying new or second-hand with the total cost of renting.
If you’re moving into furnished accommodation, check your tenancy agreement, inventory and check-in report before adding to the appliances provided. Decree No. 2015-981 of 31 July 2015 includes cooking appliances and refrigeration among the minimum furnishings for furnished rentals within its scope.
If you’re studying or relocating, what happens to an appliance at the end of your stay can matter as much as using it every day. The National Institute for Consumer Affairs cites a student moving into accommodation as an example of a situation where renting can meet a short-term need.
If you can arrange installation and then transport, storage or resale, compare buying new or second-hand with renting for the same period. For second-hand purchases, whether the seller is a business or a private individual affects the protections that apply, as the DGCCRF points out.
For a temporary stay, start by checking the accommodation inventory. Then compare your options based on your departure date and what you’ll be able to do with the appliances afterwards.
Check: in furnished accommodation covered by Decree No. 2015-981 of 31 July 2015, check the appliances listed in the inventory before placing an order.
Bear in mind: the minimum furnishings set out in this decree do not necessarily include a washing machine or dishwasher.
Consider it: for a temporary need, if the contract includes the delivery, repair and collection services you need.
Bear in mind: you won’t own the appliance. The National Institute for Consumer Affairs says that renting over an extended period can cost more than buying one.
Consider it: if you plan to keep the appliance after your stay or can arrange to resell it.
Plan for: you’ll be responsible for installation and deciding what to do with it when you leave.
Consider it: if you can check the appliance’s condition and arrange collection or delivery.
Know the difference: according to the Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand goods sold by a business to a private individual, but not to sales between private individuals.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving without having to transport an appliance | If you’re renting, check the delivery and collection arrangements, as well as the condition the appliance must be in when you return it. | If I’m leaving without being able to take a bulky appliance with me, I’d rather not have to arrange its resale or removal. Around 33% of consumers might put this end-of-stay logistics at the top of their list. |
| Appliances in furnished accommodation | Check your needs against the tenancy agreement, inventory and check-in report, and make sure the appliances already there are working. | Before ordering anything for my furnished accommodation, I want to know what’s already there so I don’t end up with a duplicate. This would be the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Total cost over the full period | For the same period, compare all rental payments with the cost of a comparable purchase, taking transport and any potential resale into account. | I can keep or resell the appliance, but I want to decide based on the total cost rather than just the monthly payment. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this calculation. |
| Contract terms | Check the minimum commitment, what repairs are covered and the consequences of ending the contract early. | My departure date might change, and I need to know what happens if the appliance breaks down or I return it early. Around 20% of consumers would put this flexibility first. |
For furnished rentals covered by Decree No. 2015-981 of 31 July 2015, the minimum furnishings include, among other things, a hob, an oven or microwave, and a refrigeration appliance that meets the conditions set out in the decree.
Before renting or buying an extra appliance, compare your list of needs with the tenancy agreement, inventory and check-in report.
The National Institute for Consumer Affairs points out that renting over an extended period can end up costing more than buying. Some contracts also require an initial payment separate from the subsequent monthly payments.
Work out how much you’ll pay up to your departure date, then compare the total with the cost of buying new or second-hand, including the practical arrangements you’ll need to manage with each option.
The National Institute for Consumer Affairs says that ending a contract early may incur penalties, so pay particular attention if your length of stay is uncertain.
Before you commit, ask for the cancellation terms in writing, including the notice period and collection arrangements.
The DGCCRF distinguishes between buying from a business and buying from a private individual: the legal guarantee of conformity that applies to sales by businesses does not cover sales between private individuals.
Before buying from a private individual, inspect and, if possible, test the appliance. Check its dimensions and connections too, and keep any messages about its condition.
These retailers show the kinds of rental terms you should compare contract by contract, particularly when it comes to the length of your stay and returning the appliances.
A rental service for household appliances and other home equipment.
A retailer offering long-term appliance rentals in store.
A subscription rental service for washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and fridges.
These appliances available on Joybuy include refrigeration options and a small washing appliance for a temporary home. First check what’s already provided, then consider installation requirements and what you’ll do with the appliance when you leave.
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An option if you want to buy an appliance that combines refrigeration and freezing, and your accommodation doesn’t already provide both.
Advertised capacity: 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer; 54 cm wide, with a reversible door and Low Frost technology. Check the route to its intended position and the delivery arrangements.
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An option if you need both functions and the appliance will fit in your accommodation.
Freestanding model with Low Frost technology, an adjustable thermostat and a reversible door. Check the route to its intended position and allow enough space around the appliance.
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An option if a 92 L fridge meets your needs and the appliance already provided in your accommodation isn’t sufficient.
The model title mentions a freezer compartment. Check its usable capacity if you plan to store frozen food, and find out how you’ll move the appliance when you leave.
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An option for occasional laundry in temporary accommodation, provided the amount of washing and the installation requirements suit this format.
The title lists three cycle times of 2, 5 and 10 minutes, a power rating of 40 W and a drainage basket. The 10 L refers to volume, not laundry capacity, so check the latter and make sure you have the necessary connections.
First, check the cooking and refrigeration appliances listed in the inventory. For furnished rentals covered by Decree No. 2015-981 of 31 July 2015, the requirements include a hob, an oven or microwave, and a fridge with a freezer or compartment that meets the conditions set out in the decree. It does not guarantee that a washing machine or dishwasher will be provided.
No. The National Institute for Consumer Affairs says renting can meet a short-term need, but may become more expensive if it continues over a longer period. For your actual length of stay, compare all the payments due under the contract with the cost of buying a comparable appliance and the practical arrangements you’ll need to manage afterwards.
Before signing, check the minimum rental period, notice period, early termination terms and collection arrangements. The National Institute for Consumer Affairs notes that some contracts include penalties for leaving early.
Yes. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity covers, among other things, second-hand goods sold by a business to a private individual. The DGCCRF says it doesn’t apply to purchases between private individuals. In that case, ask for a detailed description and test the appliance if possible.