People living somewhere temporarily
You need to equip a home for a few weeks or months, but may not want to keep the appliance afterwards. Renting could meet your needs if the rental period and collection arrangements fit your stay.
Who are these options for?
People with a one-off or occasional need
You don’t expect to use the appliance often. ADEME recommends considering borrowing or renting before buying something you’ll rarely use.
People planning to use an appliance long term
You intend to keep and reuse the appliance after your initial need. If you’re buying second-hand, its condition and suitability for your home matter. For a new washing machine, the durability rating displayed in France is another point to compare, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition.
What should you consider when choosing?
Start by thinking about how often you expect to use the appliance. Look into borrowing for a one-off need, renting for a limited stay, and buying second-hand or new if you’ll use it again afterwards. Whichever option you choose, check that the appliance is suitable for your home and that you can arrange for it to be set up or returned.
| Your priority | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Avoid buying something for a one-off use | Whether you can borrow one on the dates you need; its condition, accessories and return arrangements. | If I’ll only use the appliance once, I’d rather be able to return it than have to keep it. Around 21% of consumers facing this need would put this priority first. |
| Equip a temporary home | Minimum rental period; delivery, set-up and collection arrangements at your address. | For a short stay, I need an appliance I can use where I’m staying and a clear plan for when I leave. Around 29% of consumers would have this priority. |
| Buy second-hand for repeated use | How it works, its dimensions and accessories; whether the seller is a business or a private individual. | I plan to reuse the appliance, but I want to be able to assess its condition before keeping it or passing it on. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Buy new for long-term use | Whether it suits your home and future needs; the durability rating if it’s a new washing machine. | My current need is temporary, but I’ll use the appliance regularly afterwards and want to choose features that will suit me in the long term. Around 29% of consumers would put this first. |
What should you watch out for?
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Assuming every rental provider offers the same services
Delivery, installation, breakdown support and collection depend on the offer you choose. For a bulky appliance, arranging these services can affect whether renting is practical.
Before you order, confirm which services are available at your address, any access requirements for your home and how returns work.
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Buying second-hand without checking who the seller is
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand goods sold by a business to a private individual, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. Don’t assume the same rules apply to a private sale.
Check the seller’s status, ask for a description of the appliance’s condition and, if possible, test that it works before agreeing to buy.
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Looking for a durability rating for every option
In France, new washing machines have displayed a durability rating since 8 April 2025, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. This rating doesn’t replace checking the condition of a second-hand appliance or the terms of a rental.
Use the rating to compare new washing machines. For an appliance you’re borrowing, renting or buying second-hand, check its condition, the accessories you’ll need and the terms that apply to its use.
Brands worth considering
There are no brands to feature in this section.
Appliances available on Joybuy
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Frequently asked questions
Which household appliances can you rent?
HomeCycle and Orent offer a range of appliances, including washing machines, dishwashers and fridges. Their catalogues also include other categories, depending on the provider. Before choosing, check that the appliance is available for your dates and address, and confirm its dimensions and installation requirements.
What should you check before renting an appliance for a few months?
Check that the minimum rental period and return arrangements suit your stay. Also read the terms for your order to find out how delivery, installation, breakdown support and collection are arranged, and whether you’ll need to pay a deposit.
Can you use the durability rating to compare a rented or second-hand washing machine?
Don’t assume that this rating must be displayed for these options. According to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, new washing machines have displayed a durability rating since 8 April 2025. For a rental or second-hand appliance, check its condition and the maintenance or warranty terms that apply.
Does the statutory legal guarantee of conformity cover a second-hand appliance?
Yes. In France, when a private individual buys an appliance from a business, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity also applies to second-hand goods, according to the Ministry of the Economy. The seller must supply goods that conform to the contract. Don’t assume this rule automatically applies to a private sale.