For temporary student accommodation, renting can work if the contract length matches your stay and the collection or maintenance services on offer meet your needs. Buying, whether new or second-hand, means you’ll need to arrange transport and resale. Start by checking which appliances are already provided, the available space and the connections you need. Then compare costs over your planned stay: the National Consumer Institute and the Bank of France highlight the trade-offs involved in cost, maintenance and returning the appliance.
You need to equip your accommodation temporarily without mistaking a low monthly payment for a low overall cost. Compare any upfront payment, rental costs over your planned stay and the cost of buying after a possible resale. A publication by the National Consumer Institute and the Bank of France highlights cost as a factor to consider when choosing to rent.
You want to avoid transporting or reselling a large appliance, so the contract length, collection service and return conditions become key considerations. The National Consumer Institute and the Bank of France highlight the checks to make around disconnection and returning the appliance.
First, distinguish between appliances already provided and those you need to add. Then measure the available space and check which features you need. The French decree on furnished accommodation sets out a minimum list of certain items of equipment; you’ll still need to check that the appliances are present and in good condition in your accommodation.
Before equipping temporary student accommodation in France, check what’s already available and what can be installed. Then compare rental and purchase options based on how long you’ll be staying and which tasks you’re prepared to take on.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost of your stay | Add together any upfront payment and all monthly payments. If you buy, only deduct a realistic resale value and include any applicable fees. | If I’m on a tight budget to begin with, I want to compare the cost of the appliance over my whole stay rather than looking only at the monthly payment. Around 36% of consumers prioritise total cost. |
| Moving out and returning the appliance | Compare your move-out date with the contract length. Check the cancellation terms, the condition required when returning the appliance and whether collection is included. | If my move-out date might change, I want to avoid being tied into a contract or having to arrange collection of a large appliance myself. Around 29% of consumers prioritise an easy move-out and return process. |
| Suitability for your accommodation | Check the inventory and rules for shared equipment. Measure the space and check the model’s dimensions and features. | In a small room, I want to make sure an appliance will fit and meet my needs, without buying equipment that’s already available. Around 21% of consumers put suitability for their accommodation at the top of their list. |
| Breakdowns and maintenance | If renting, check which breakdowns are covered, what’s excluded and who to contact. If buying second-hand, find out whether the seller is a business or a private individual. | If something breaks during my stay, I want to know who to contact and which repairs are covered. Around 14% of consumers prioritise breakdown and maintenance support. |
If your stay is shorter than the contract, the comparison with buying changes and you could still have payments to make after you move out.
Work out all the payments for the exact plan you’re considering, and read the cancellation terms before signing up.
Any upfront payment and the contractual consequences of ending the agreement early come on top of the rental payments.
The French decree on furnished accommodation includes certain kitchen equipment in its minimum list. However, whether a shared appliance is available depends on the accommodation and its rules.
Check the inventory, the condition of the appliances and the rules for using shared equipment before you order.
A duplicate appliance takes up space and will also need to be transported or disposed of.
Dimensions, usable capacity and whether there’s a freezer compartment vary by model. A smaller appliance isn’t necessarily right for your space or how you plan to use it.
Measure the space and check the features against the full model reference before choosing.
An appliance that’s the wrong size could mean extra transport costs or need replacing.
There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to resell an appliance for a particular amount. In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies in particular to second-hand goods sold by a business to a consumer; you shouldn’t assume the same applies to a sale between private individuals.
Treat resale as a possibility to check, and find out whether the seller is a business or a private individual before comparing your options.
French rental service for large appliances, including washing machines and fridges.
Appliance rental service in France, with washing machines in its range.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact fridge with a freezer compartment; make sure you check the exact model reference.
An option to consider if a table-top fridge without a freezer suits your needs.
This selection focuses on compact appliances to help equip student accommodation: cooking, washing small items of clothing and keeping food chilled.
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The product title describes it as suitable for small flats and halls of residence, for cooking and defrosting.
20 L capacity; six power levels and a digital display, as stated in the title.
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The title describes this compact model as suitable for rented flats and halls of residence. It’s designed for reheating meals and drinks.
20 L capacity; square design, as stated in the title.
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This product is presented as a way to wash small items of clothing in a hall of residence or flat.
Advertised capacity of 15 L; foldable, with three wash modes and a spin-drying basket.
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This freestanding compact fridge is presented as a way to keep food fresh in a small space.
82 L capacity and energy class E, as stated in the title. The listing for this model specifies that it has no freezer compartment.
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The advertised table-top design may suit a small home; the product description also mentions a freezer compartment.
Total capacity of 45 L; adjustable feet and a glass shelf, as stated in the title.
Not necessarily. For furnished accommodation covered by the French decree consulted, the minimum list includes a hob, an oven or microwave, and a fridge and freezer—or a compartment that reaches a temperature of −6 °C or below. Check the inventory and condition of the appliances in your accommodation; a washing machine isn’t included in this list. Reference: Decree No. 2015-981 of 31 July 2015, published on Légifrance.
Not necessarily; it depends on the plan. Check whether delivery, installation, disconnection and collection are included, as well as any access requirements for your accommodation and the connections needed.
It depends on the services and exclusions set out in the contract. The National Consumer Institute recommends checking exactly which repairs are covered and finding out who to contact.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand goods sold by a business to a consumer, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Don’t assume the same rules apply to a sale between private individuals. Check the seller’s status and keep any information describing the item.
Add together any upfront payment and the monthly payments due over the contract period. Then compare this total with the purchase price minus a realistic resale value, adding any applicable fees on both sides. Compare the same appliance and services, and don’t assume you’ll be able to resell it for a particular amount.