For a furnished property used as a main residence and covered by Decree No. 2015-981, Article 2 requires a hob, an oven or microwave oven, and a fridge with a freezer or a compartment capable of reaching a temperature of −6 °C or below (Légifrance, version in force on 22 October 2026). Then choose the dimensions, capacities and cooking functions to suit the kitchen and its occupants. A standard microwave does not necessarily offer the same options as an oven or combination model, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
You want to cover every required appliance before choosing any extras, and to distinguish between an oven and a hob. For properties covered by the rules, Article 2 of Decree No. 2015-981 lists these items separately (Légifrance).
You need to meet the applicable requirements while making the best use of the space available for refrigeration and cooking. UFC-Que Choisir covers different fridge formats; also check the freezer compartment’s specifications against the temperature threshold set out in the decree (Légifrance).
You’re setting up a kitchen for several occupants and want to choose suitable capacities without assuming that sharing the property changes the list of appliances. Service Public describes shared accommodation as a rental occupied by flatmates as their main residence.
Separate checking which requirements apply from choosing capacities and extra features for comfort. The decree also specifies crockery and kitchen utensils, which are not household appliances.
| What matters | What to check | Who is most likely to prioritise it ? |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting the equipment requirements | Check the hob, the oven or microwave oven, and the refrigeration option specified in Article 2 of Decree No. 2015-981 separately (Légifrance). | If I want to avoid missing a required appliance before adding comfort features, I check each item separately. Around 36 % of consumers prioritise having the right equipment. |
| Balancing space and storage | Measure the space and compare fridge and freezer capacities; check the temperature threshold if the compartment is being used instead of a separate freezer. | In a small kitchen, I need to balance the space taken up with the useful refrigeration capacity for the occupants. Around 29 % of consumers put footprint and storage first. |
| Choosing cooking functions | Compare the cooking modes you actually need and plan for a hob separately from your choice of oven or microwave. | If I want to offer a range of cooking options, I compare useful functions without confusing a standard microwave with a model with a grill, a combination microwave or an oven. Versatility is the top priority for around 21 % of consumers. |
| Planning for use and after-sales support | Compare the annual energy consumption of fridges on a like-for-like basis and keep the exact model reference so you can check its documentation. | To keep track of electricity use and after-sales terms, I check the product details and the guarantees that apply to the purchase. These criteria come first for around 14 % of consumers. |
For properties covered by the decree, the hob and the oven or microwave oven are separate items. Buying a microwave does not mean you can leave out the hob.
Check every item on the list before settling on your cooking appliances.
Forgetting the hob could mean having to add it to the equipment later.
The alternative to a separate freezer must include a compartment capable of reaching a temperature of −6 °C or below.
Check this feature for the exact model you choose; don’t rely on the product name alone.
Dimensions and capacities vary from one model to another. If an appliance doesn’t fit the space, you may have to rethink the installation or choose a different size.
Measure the space and compare it with the model’s dimensions before you buy.
Failing to allow for the appliance’s size can make installation difficult and force you to choose another format.
The French range includes compact fridges worth considering when space is limited.
The KGN36VLED is an example of a freestanding fridge-freezer for a kitchen with room for a larger appliance.
The Everyday Slim IH2108E1 is an example of a portable induction hob worth considering when worktop space matters.
The French range includes freestanding microwaves; the MWP 253 B is a model with a grill function.
This selection brings together fridge-freezers, an induction hob and microwaves, so you can consider refrigeration and cooking equipment separately. A product’s specifications alone do not confirm that it meets every requirement that applies to a property.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for separate fridge and freezer compartments.
Total capacity of 544 L: 347 L for the fridge and 197 L for the freezer. The model is listed with No Frost and a water dispenser; its dimensions are 911 × 1,786 × 615 mm.
Measure the space and allow for the ventilation clearances specified for installation. Check the compartment specifications against the temperature threshold set out in the decree.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a two-zone hob in a domino format.
29.5 cm wide, 220–240 V power supply, plug-in connection, nine heat settings and a timer. The product title also mentions a child lock.
You’ll need induction-compatible cookware. This hob does not replace the oven or microwave listed separately in the applicable requirements.
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Worth considering if you’d like to compare a compact format with two storage compartments.
Total capacity of 174 L: 115 L for the fridge and 59 L for the freezer. The model is listed as Low Frost, with three freezer drawers and an energy rating of E.
Its listed dimensions are 47 × 51.1 × 150 cm. Check the installation measurements and the freezer compartment specifications against the temperature threshold set out in the decree.
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Worth considering if you want a standard microwave for cooking, reheating and defrosting.
23 L capacity, quick defrost and 29 automatic programmes. The model is described as freestanding.
A microwave oven may meet the decree’s alternative to an oven, but it does not replace the hob. Check that its functions suit the dishes you want to prepare.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for several cooking modes in one appliance.
42 L capacity; specifications list 1,000 W microwave power, 1,300 W grill power and 2,700 W convection power. Its listed external dimensions are 553 × 326 × 505 mm.
Check that you have enough worktop space for these dimensions. The hob remains a separate item in the applicable requirements.
No. For properties covered by the rules, Article 2 of Decree No. 2015-981 specifies an oven or a microwave oven. The hob remains a separate item (Légifrance).
Size alone doesn’t determine this: the refrigeration provision must include a fridge and a freezer, or a fridge with a compartment capable of reaching a temperature of −6 °C or below. Check the specifications of the exact model against Article 2 of Decree No. 2015-981 (Légifrance).
Under the list set out in the decree, a microwave oven is an alternative to an oven, but not to a hob, which is required separately for properties covered by the rules. Cooking modes also vary between appliances; UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between standard microwaves, models with a grill and combination models.
The fact that a property is shared does not, in itself, justify leaving out appliances on the list that applies to it. Service Public says that shared accommodation can be covered by a joint tenancy agreement or individual agreements; the number of occupants should still be taken into account when choosing practical capacities.
Don’t assume it does: this guide covers a furnished property intended to be used as a main residence, and Service Public treats holiday rentals separately. Article 25-3 of the Act of 6 July 1989 excludes, among others, residential care homes and certain properties covered by a housing agreement. For a serviced residence, check how the property and contract are classified before applying these rules.