Start by checking which appliances are already provided. Under the French decree on furnished rentals, cooking and refrigeration appliances are part of the minimum furnishings. Renting may suit you if the contract and return arrangements fit your stay. Buying a compact or second-hand appliance gives you more freedom to keep it, but you’ll need to arrange its installation and removal when you leave.
If you want to avoid transporting or reselling an appliance, check the collection arrangements, minimum rental period and whether you can leave before the contract ends. The French National Consumer Institute lists student accommodation among the situations where renting can meet a temporary need.
Check what appliances are already there, as well as any shared facilities, before placing an order. Under the French decree setting out the minimum furnishings for a furnished rental, cooking and refrigeration appliances are included, but washing machines are not.
If you can arrange to collect and move the appliance when you leave, start by checking who the seller is. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand goods sold by a business to a private individual, but not to sales between private individuals.
For a temporary stay, start with the function you’re missing, then compare your departure date with the rental terms or the practicalities of transporting a purchase.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding duplicates | Check the property inventory and find out whether there’s a launderette or shared appliances. The French decree on furnished accommodation specifies, among other things, cooking and refrigeration appliances. | In a studio that’s already equipped, I only want to add what’s missing. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Planning your departure | If you’re renting an appliance, make sure the contract period fits your stay and check the early termination and return arrangements. | If my leaving date might change, I want to know how to return the appliance without having to transport it myself. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Managing an appliance you’ve bought | Check the space, connections and whether you can keep, move or resell the appliance after your stay. | I’d rather own the appliance if I can install it now and deal with it when I move. Around 25% of consumers value this freedom. |
| Choosing second-hand | Test that it works and check the seller’s status. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity covers second-hand goods sold by a business to a private individual, but not goods sold by a private individual. | When buying a second-hand appliance, I want to know its condition and what protection comes with the seller before taking it away. Around 19% of consumers put this check first. |
In a furnished rental covered by the French decree, cooking and refrigeration appliances are part of the minimum furnishings. A student residence may also offer shared facilities, depending on the location.
Check the inventory and ask about shared spaces before choosing an appliance to buy or rent.
A long-term rental won’t necessarily end when you leave the property. For example, BUT lists 36-, 48- or 60-month terms for appliances.
Check that the contract end date fits your plans, and read the early termination and return terms before signing.
Delivery, collection and repairs depend on the offer and the areas covered. For example, Boulanger Location’s terms and conditions exclude Corsica, France’s overseas departments and territories, and Monaco.
Check the contract for your address to confirm which services are included and what to do if the appliance breaks down or you move out.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between the two: the legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand goods sold by a business to a private individual, but not to sales between private individuals.
Check that the appliance works and ask what documentation is available before collecting it. If this guarantee matters to you, consider buying from a business.
An appliance rental service to consider for temporary needs in the areas it covers.
A large-appliance rental offer with advertised terms of 36, 48 or 60 months.
A rental service offering washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and fridges, among other appliances.
These appliances cover refrigeration, laundry and light cleaning. First check what your accommodation provides. If you’re considering a washing machine, also make sure you’re allowed to install it and can move it when you leave.
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Worth considering if your accommodation doesn’t include a fridge and you’re looking for a freestanding model. The listing specifies a 45 L capacity, adjustable feet and a tempered glass shelf. Check that you have space for it before buying.
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Consider this if you need a fridge with a stated capacity of 92 L. This single-door model is listed as taking up 0.22 m² of floor space. Also check the dimensions you’ll need for installation and moving it.
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If your accommodation doesn’t offer a convenient way to do your laundry, this model has a stated capacity of 8 kg. Before buying, check that you’re allowed to install it and can manage the water supply, drainage and move when you leave.
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If there’s no suitable launderette nearby, consider this top-loading model. The listing specifies a 6 kg capacity, 1,400 rpm and 17 programmes. Check there’s enough room to open the top, and confirm the connections and installation requirements for your accommodation.
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For quick clean-ups and awkward corners, this cordless handheld model offers two modes and Type-C charging. It’s designed for light cleaning, so check whether it’s enough for your living space rather than assuming it can replace a full-size vacuum cleaner.
For accommodation covered by the French decree on furnished rentals, the minimum list includes a hob, an oven or microwave, and a fridge and freezer, or a fridge with a compartment at −6 °C or below. Washing machines aren’t included, so check the inventory and see whether there’s a launderette nearby.
Renting can suit a temporary need if the contract and return arrangements match the length of your stay. The French National Consumer Institute gives the example of a student moving for their studies. Still, check the contract: some appliance rental offers, including those listed by BUT, have terms of 36 months or more.
Check the minimum rental period, the terms for leaving early and the condition the appliance must be in when you return it. Also confirm what the contract covers at your address, including delivery, installation, repairs and collection.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand appliances sold by a business to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It doesn’t apply to sales between private individuals. Check who the seller is, test that the appliance works and keep any available documents.