To prepare meals every day in an unfurnished rental, first check which appliances are included, what sockets are available and how much space you have. Then plan for a freestanding hob and a fridge if the property doesn’t have one. Add a countertop oven if you cook in the oven; a microwave is mainly useful for reheating or defrosting, while a compact dishwasher depends on how much washing-up you do and whether it can be installed. According to ADIL de la Moselle, landlords aren’t required to provide a fitted kitchen in an unfurnished rental.
You’re looking for freestanding appliances and need to distinguish between installing them and making alterations to the property. ANIL explains that any alteration to the property or its equipment requires the landlord’s written consent.
You need somewhere to store your shopping and prepare meals, but you also need to keep the worktop usable. Choose a portable hob and, if needed, a countertop oven based on the dishes you make and the space available.
If the washing-up is piling up every day, compare capacity, noise and energy and water use before setting aside space for a dishwasher. ADEME and the European Commission include these factors on dishwasher energy labels.
First work out what the property can accommodate, then choose the functions that suit the meals you actually prepare.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Property and electricity supply | Make a list of the appliances included; check that the sockets, circuits and available space meet the requirements in the manuals for the appliances you’re considering. | Without the option of carrying out work, I need to be able to position and power my appliances using the existing installation. Around 33% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
| Cooking meals | Check how many cooking zones you need for your pans and which oven-cooking functions you’ll use. | If I regularly cook dishes in a pan and make gratins, simply reheating food won’t meet my needs. Around 27% of consumers prioritise being able to cook. |
| Space available | Measure the appliances and the space where they’ll go. Remember to allow for doors to open and for the clearances specified in the manuals. | In a small kitchen, I want to keep enough worktop space for preparing meals. Around 20% of consumers put size ahead of other criteria. |
| Food storage and washing-up | Choose fridge capacity to suit your shopping; for a dishwasher, compare capacity, water and energy use, and noise on a like-for-like basis. | When I store several meals or have a lot of washing-up, appliance capacity makes a difference to my daily routine. Around 20% of consumers prioritise food storage and everyday cleaning first. |
ADIL de la Moselle says a fitted kitchen isn’t compulsory in an unfurnished rental. That doesn’t tell you which appliances are already in your property, so buying without checking first could leave you with duplicates.
Read your tenancy agreement and inventory, then check the appliances and connections in person before choosing their sizes.
Promotelec advises against plugging an oven and another high-powered appliance, such as a washing machine, into an extension lead connected to a single socket. If you’re buying several kitchen appliances, you may need to check the electrical installation first.
Compare the requirements in each appliance manual with the sockets and circuits available. If the property needs any alterations, first ask your landlord for written consent, as ANIL advises.
Reheating a dish isn’t a substitute for cooking in a pan. Grill and oven-cooking functions also depend on the microwave model you choose.
Make a list of the dishes you usually prepare and check separately whether you need a hob, an oven and reheating functions.
The rating doesn’t tell you everything about capacity, water use, the length of the Eco programme or noise. The European Commission includes these details on dishwasher energy labels.
Compare the figures for the reference programme, then check the space, water supply and drainage needed for the model.
Worth considering for a portable induction hob when you need to cook on the worktop.
A brand with countertop ovens worth looking at if you want to cook in the oven without a built-in appliance.
The Beko France catalogue includes freestanding fridges and dishwashers.
This selection includes countertop appliances for cooking or washing up, as well as a fridge-freezer for storing food. Once you’ve checked what’s already in the property and how much space you have, choose the functions you’ll find useful.
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Worth considering if you cook in pans but don’t have a built-in hob. Check that your cookware is compatible and that the model’s electrical requirements are met before setting it up.
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For storing groceries and frozen food if the property doesn’t already have a suitable appliance. The model name specifies a 153 L fridge, a 74 L freezer, a width of 54 cm and an energy rating of E. Measure the full space available and check the ventilation clearances.
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Worth looking at if you want a countertop appliance for reheating and combined cooking functions. Its stated capacity is 39 L. Check the cooking modes you need, the clearances and the connection requirements in the manual; it doesn’t provide a hob for pans.
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For meals that need oven cooking, without installing a built-in appliance. Its stated capacity is 23 L. Check the internal dimensions against your dishes, as well as the surface it will sit on and the clearances specified in the manual. It doesn’t replace a hob.
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Worth considering if the amount of washing-up you do every day justifies the space it takes up. The product name specifies a 5 L tank and an energy rating of D. Before buying, check the power supply, water drainage, and the noise and energy use figures for the way you plan to use it.
No. ADIL de la Moselle explains that landlords aren’t required to provide a fitted kitchen. To find out which appliances are included in your rental, check your tenancy agreement and inventory.
Buying a freestanding appliance is different from making alterations to the property. If installing it means altering the property or its equipment, ask your landlord for written consent beforehand, as ANIL advises.
Don’t plan to connect them this way: Promotelec gives the example of an oven and washing machine plugged into an extension lead connected to a single socket. Before choosing several appliances, check the sockets, circuits and electrical instructions for each one.
Compare capacity and noise level, then check the energy use per 100 cycles and water use per cycle on the energy label. ADEME and the European Commission provide these figures along with the duration of the Eco programme. Also check the space and drainage required for the model you choose.