For temporary student accommodation, start by checking which appliances are already provided. Then decide how to get any you need, based on when you plan to move out. The French National Consumer Institute lists renting as an option for a short-term need, but the rental period, cancellation terms and return arrangements must fit your stay. It’s worth comparing new and refurbished appliances if you can keep, sell or pass them on, while also planning for installation and moving them out of the property.
If you’re fairly sure when you’ll be moving out, renting could save you the hassle of arranging a sale. However, check that the minimum contract term and return arrangements fit your plans. Renting replaces reselling with another task to organise.
You could consider a second-hand or refurbished appliance if you can check its condition, delivery arrangements and who the seller is. Your rights if something goes wrong depend on whether you’re buying from a business or an individual. The French Ministry of the Economy notes that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to sales from a business to a consumer.
If you might keep the appliance for longer than expected, compare the cost of buying it with the total rental payments. The French National Consumer Institute points out that renting over a longer period can cost more than buying the item. Also plan what you’ll do with it if you move.
First, make an inventory of the property, then compare your options for each appliance you need over the likely length of your stay. An appliance that’s already provided calls for a different decision from one you need to buy or rent, but you should still check its condition and who’s responsible if it breaks down.
| Factor | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Length of stay and total cost | Compare the amount you’ll pay up to your planned move-out date, including if you leave early. In particular, check the minimum rental period and cancellation terms. | If my stay might be extended, I want to know what each option will cost me over the whole period, not just upfront. Around 33% of consumers put this calculation at the top of their list. |
| Moving out | If you buy, plan for transport or resale. If you rent, check the timeframe, return location and required condition of the appliance when you hand it back. | With a move coming up, my main concern is avoiding a large appliance making it harder to leave. Around 27% of consumers would make this flexibility their priority. |
| Installation and breakdowns | Check the dimensions, access, sockets and connections, then find out who arranges installation and deals with breakdowns. | If I need to use an appliance that isn’t provided straight away, I want to be able to have it installed and know who to contact if it breaks down. Around 20% of consumers would make uninterrupted use their main concern. |
| Condition and consumer rights | For second-hand or refurbished appliances, check the specific condition of the item and the seller’s status. Distinguish between a statutory guarantee and any commercial guarantee. | To keep my upfront costs down, I’m happy to consider a used appliance as long as I understand its condition and what rights I have. This would be the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
A contract that runs longer than your planned stay could make leaving early difficult. For example, BUT advertises appliance rental periods of 36, 48 or 60 months. Check how these fit with your plans.
Ask how much you’ll owe up to your likely move-out date and what happens if you leave sooner. Compare this with the cost of buying, including delivery and what you’ll do with the appliance afterwards.
According to the terms published by BUT, cancelling early could incur a penalty of up to 40% of the rent still due.
Not having to sell the appliance doesn’t mean you don’t have to return it. You need to be able to arrange its return around your move-out date and meet the terms of your contract.
Before signing, make a note of the end date, return procedure, return location and the condition the appliance must be in when handed back.
BUT charges a penalty if the appliance isn’t returned at the end of the rental period.
According to the DGCCRF, refurbishment involves testing that an appliance works and repairing it if necessary. The French Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies when a business sells to a consumer, but not to private sales between individuals.
Check who the seller is, look closely at the stated condition of the specific appliance and keep your sales documents. Don’t assume you know what you’re getting based on the word ‘refurbished’ alone.
An appliance that’s already there would be a duplicate. An appliance that won’t fit through the access route or can’t be connected properly won’t meet your needs either.
Ask for an inventory of the property, measure the space and delivery access, then check the sockets and connections. Also find out what to do if a provided appliance breaks down.
These providers illustrate different ways to get equipped. The terms described apply to the specific offers and listings mentioned, not all of their products. Always check the terms that apply to the appliance you need.
Retailer offering long-term rentals of furniture and appliances, which, according to its offer details, must be arranged in store.
Home rental service offering items including fridges, washing machines and dishwashers.
A marketplace for refurbished products, including large domestic appliances.
Appliance repair company that also sells refurbished appliances through its shop on Back Market.
Not necessarily. The minimum rental period needs to fit your stay, or the terms need to allow you to leave when you plan to. The French National Consumer Institute lists setting up a student home as one temporary need that renting can meet, while BUT advertises appliance contracts of 36, 48 or 60 months. Check the term and cancellation conditions for the specific offer before deciding.
Only if the contract includes an option to buy. The French National Consumer Institute distinguishes between the long-term appliance rental described, where you don’t acquire the item at the end of the term, and a rental agreement with an option to buy. Check which type of contract you’re signing rather than assuming your payments will make you the owner.
The consequences depend on your rental contract. BUT says early cancellation could incur a penalty of up to 40% of the rent still due; this doesn’t apply to every offer. Ask what terms apply to your contract for the move-out date you have in mind.
Yes. In France, when a consumer buys from a business, the Ministry of the Economy says the statutory guarantee of conformity also applies to second-hand and refurbished goods. It doesn’t apply to private sales between individuals, so check who the seller is and keep proof of purchase.