If you’re temporarily equipping student accommodation, start by checking what’s already there and working. Renting can make moving out easier if the rental term and collection arrangements fit your stay; buying gives you more freedom to keep, transport or resell the appliance. Either way, check who is responsible for repairs.
If your stay is short, work out which appliances you need before deciding whether to keep them after your studies or arrange to return them. The inventory and how long you expect to stay will affect your decision.
Check which appliances are listed in the inventory and make sure they work before adding anything to the kitchen. For furnished rentals in France, Decree No. 2015-981 of 31 July 2015, published on Légifrance, lists items including hobs, an oven or microwave, and refrigeration equipment with a freezer compartment.
Compare the minimum term of a rental with the option of buying a second-hand or refurbished appliance. If you choose the latter, check the appliance’s condition and whether the seller is a business or a private individual.
First decide which appliances you’re actually missing, then weigh up the length of your stay against the commitments you’ll have for each appliance when it’s time to move out.
Consider this if: you want to own the appliance and can keep, transport or resell it after your studies.
The trade-off: you’ll need to arrange its installation, then move it or resell it when you leave.
Consider this if: you want to own an appliance and can check its condition, dimensions and accessories before installation.
The trade-off: what you can do if there’s a fault depends, among other things, on the seller’s status. The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between sales by businesses and sales between private individuals.
Consider this if: you’d rather return the appliance than arrange to transport or resell it, provided the rental term fits your stay.
The trade-off: the contract sets out the return arrangements, repairs and what happens if you leave early.
| Factor | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Existing appliances | Check the inventory and test the appliances when you move in. For furnished rentals in France, Decree No. 2015-981 of 31 July 2015, published on Légifrance, lists the relevant cooking and refrigeration equipment. | I don’t want to bring a fridge or cooking appliance if one is already there and working. |
| Rental commitment | Compare your expected end date with the minimum term and the terms for leaving early. Mes questions d’argent, a Banque de France service, describes appliance rentals lasting 6 to 48 months; BUT lists terms of 36, 48 or 60 months for its appliances. | If I leave before my studies are due to finish, I want to know what happens to the appliance and the contract. |
| Moving out | If you buy, plan to keep, transport or resell the appliance. If you rent, check whether collection is included in the offer and how returns work. | I’d rather not move a large appliance if I don’t yet know where I’m going next. |
| Installation | Check the dimensions, available space and connections. Confirm separately what delivery and installation services are included for the appliance you’ve chosen. | In a small home, the appliance needs to fit through the access points and have a place of its own without getting in the way. |
| Breakdowns and returns | Read the repair terms, exclusions and condition requirements for returning a rented appliance. If you buy second-hand or refurbished, check who the seller is and keep the sales documents. | I want to know who to contact if the appliance breaks down and what will be checked when I return it. |
The monthly payment tells you neither how long you’ll be committed nor what happens if you leave early.
Before signing, check the minimum term, included services, return arrangements and cancellation clauses. Compare these with your likely moving-out date.
Buying or renting a duplicate takes up space and makes moving out more complicated. French Decree No. 2015-981 of 31 July 2015, published on Légifrance, lists cooking and refrigeration equipment for furnished rentals.
Ask for the inventory before ordering and make sure the appliances work during the check-in inspection.
A rental company’s advertised services don’t, by themselves, explain how every breakdown or instance of damage is handled. Boulanger Location advertises included after-sales support, but you’ll need to check exactly what’s covered in the offer you choose.
Ask which repairs are covered, what’s excluded and what to do if there’s a breakdown. Keep a record of the appliance’s condition when it arrives.
When buying a second-hand or refurbished appliance, the seller’s status affects the protections that apply. For the statutory guarantee of conformity, for example, the French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between purchases from a business and sales between private individuals.
Check who the seller is before you buy, inspect the appliance and keep the listing and proof of the transaction.
These retailers offer examples of rental plans to consider based on the appliance you need and the length of your stay. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean their offers are right for every home.
BUT offers long-term rental of furniture and appliances, with the items returned at the end of the contract.
Boulanger Location offers appliances including washing machines for rent, and advertises delivery, collection and after-sales support as included.
Orent’s catalogue includes fridges, washing machines, freezers, ovens and microwaves for rent.
HomeCycle describes a rental process where you choose the appliance and a minimum rental term.
This model is worth considering if your accommodation’s inventory doesn’t include a suitable fridge. The product listing isn’t a substitute for comparing buying and renting for your whole stay.
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Worth considering if your accommodation doesn’t have a suitable fridge, once you’ve checked the inventory. The product title states that it has a 45 L capacity, is freestanding and has an E energy rating. Check its dimensions and the available space before choosing it.
First check the inventory and make sure the existing appliance works. For furnished rentals in France, Decree No. 2015-981 of 31 July 2015, published on Légifrance, lists a fridge and a freezer, or a fridge with a compartment that can reach a temperature of -6 °C or below.
It could be, if the rental term and return arrangements fit your planned move-out date. Mes questions d’argent, a Banque de France service, describes appliance rentals lasting 6 to 48 months, while BUT lists terms of 36, 48 or 60 months for its appliances. Always check the term of the specific offer.
Don’t assume that every breakdown or instance of damage is covered. Even when a rental company such as Boulanger Location advertises included after-sales support, check which repairs are covered, what’s excluded and the process set out in your contract.
The arrangements depend on the contract you sign, so check the minimum term and early-cancellation clauses before renting. Also ask how to arrange the appliance’s return for your planned moving date.
The catalogues of Boulanger Location, HomeCycle and Orent include appliances such as washing machines, fridges, freezers and dishwashers, depending on the retailer; Orent also lists ovens and microwaves. Check that the appliance you want is available, that it will fit and that delivery is available to your address.