Long-term rental could suit you if you know how long you’ll be staying and the delivery, breakdown support and collection included in the contract would be useful. Buying is worth considering if you plan to keep, move or resell the appliances. Either way, only get what you need for your home, and check the installation and end-of-contract terms before committing.
If you’re moving in for a set period of study, think about what you’ll do with the appliances when you leave. The French National Consumer Institute specifically cites studying as an example of a need that may not be long-term.
If you’re not sure what will happen after your assignment, delivery, installation and collection arrangements may influence your choice of contract. Check that each service applies to the appliance and your address.
A fridge or cooking appliance may meet a more immediate need than a full set of appliances. Make a list of what’s already there, then check the available space and connections before renting or buying.
If you’re moving into temporary accommodation in France, start by considering how long you’re likely to stay and which appliances you actually need. Then look at the services and obligations involved in each option.
Worth considering: if you need an appliance for a set period and the collection and support included in the contract mean you won’t have to keep it when you leave.
The trade-off: you’ll need to stick to the minimum term and meet the return conditions. Under the long-term rental arrangements described by the French National Consumer Institute, you don’t become the owner.
Worth considering: if you can keep the appliance after your stay, move it or arrange to sell it.
The trade-off: you’ll need to arrange transport and decide what to do with the appliance when you leave. If you’re buying second-hand, check its condition and who you’re buying it from.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Length of stay | Compare the minimum contract term with how long you expect to stay. Ask what happens if you leave early or stay longer. | Is my departure date predictable enough for me to commit to a rental term? |
| Installation and breakdowns | Find out who delivers, connects and repairs each appliance. Check what installation work is excluded and what connections your home needs. | I want to know who to contact if an appliance breaks down, and whether it can be installed in my home. |
| Leaving the property | Read the early termination and return terms, including the condition the appliance must be in. If you buy, plan how you’ll move it or sell it. | If my assignment or studies end early, what will I need to do with the appliance? |
| Appliances you need | Measure the space, access routes and clearance. Choose a capacity to suit the number of occupants and check the installation type. | My home may already have some appliances. I’d rather only get what’s missing and will fit in the space available. |
An appliance may need a suitable wall socket to be connected, and installation may not include fitting a built-in model. BUT distinguishes between these situations in its service description.
Before ordering, check the measurements, water supply, drainage, socket and the installation work included for your chosen model.
The French National Consumer Institute says that ending a contract early may incur penalties, and that the appliance must be returned in good condition, allowing for normal wear and tear.
Ask about cancellation and collection before you sign. Keep a copy of the contract and record the appliance’s condition when it’s delivered and returned.
If you end up keeping a washing machine for longer, its repairability and reliability become more important. The French Ministry of the Economy describes the durability index as a useful guide for this category.
If you’re buying a washing machine in France, check the index and its criteria, then compare only models with a capacity and dimensions to suit your home.
These providers operate in France. Check that their advertised services are available for the appliance and contract you’re considering.
Boulanger Location offers long-term rentals of appliances including washing machines and dishwashers, with advertised terms of 12, 24 or 36 months depending on the appliance.
HomeCycle’s catalogue includes washing machines, fridges, dishwashers, ovens and induction hobs.
BUT offers long-term appliance rentals, including the 36- or 48-month terms advertised for the options considered here.
These Joybuy appliances show how to buy just what you need for temporary accommodation: refrigeration, cooking or washing up, depending on what’s already there. They’re not a substitute for checking the terms of renting appliances for the same needs.
Image unavailable
If a countertop dishwasher would be useful in your kitchen, this AIRMSEN model has a built-in 5 L water tank and offers 5+1 wash cycles. Check there’s space for it on your worktop, along with a suitable power supply and drainage, before choosing it.
Image unavailable
If your home needs both a fridge and a freezer, the JR227LSE offers 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space. It’s listed as 54 cm wide and has a reversible door. Also check the height, depth and clearance required.
Image unavailable
Designed to add to the appliances in a small home, this model offers 92 L of capacity, is 47 cm wide and has a freezer compartment. Check that its capacity suits your storage habits and that its full dimensions will fit the space.
Image unavailable
A portable hob can be a useful addition to a home without a fitted cooking area. This model is rated at 2000 W, with eight power settings and a 3 h timer. Check that you have a suitable socket and that your pans are compatible with induction cooking.
Image unavailable
This tabletop dishwasher has a stated capacity of 6 place settings and 7 programmes. Before installing it in a small kitchen, check the available space and make sure the water supply and drainage are compatible.
It could be a good fit if you have a reasonably clear idea of how long you’ll be staying and the services included in the contract meet your needs. The French National Consumer Institute cites moving for study as an example of a short-term need. Still, check the minimum term and return arrangements before signing.
Providers such as HomeCycle list appliances including washing machines, fridges, dishwashers and tumble dryers, as well as ovens and induction hobs. Check which model is available, whether your address is covered and what the delivery terms are.
Your contract sets out which repairs are covered and any exclusions. The French National Consumer Institute recommends checking the terms for maintenance and repairs. Boulanger Location advertises breakdown support for the relevant offers.
Ending an agreement early may incur penalties, as the French National Consumer Institute points out. Before signing, read the minimum term, cancellation process, and the terms for collection and returning the appliance.
For a washing machine sold in France, check the durability index and the details of its repairability and reliability criteria, as set out by the French Ministry of the Economy. Also make sure the model’s capacity, dimensions and connections are suitable for your home.