Who is this option for?

You have a set moving-out date

You want to avoid transporting or reselling a large appliance when you move out. Hiring can make this easier, provided the hire period, collection arrangements and any penalties fit your timetable.

You can keep or resell the appliance

If you can use it in another home, transport it or resell it, compare the purchase price and the work involved when you move out with the total hire payments. The National Consumer Institute and the Bank of France recommend checking the contract length and terms when choosing an option for a temporary need.

You’re considering a second-hand appliance

You want to keep the upfront cost down while knowing who to contact if something goes wrong. For your legal guarantee of conformity, distinguish between buying from a trader and buying from a private seller, as the French Ministry of the Economy points out.

What to consider when hiring or buying

When furnishing temporary accommodation, start with your moving-out date and what you’ll do with the appliance afterwards. Then compare the commitments, services and total cost over the period you need it for, rather than looking only at the monthly payment.

Long-term hire

Worth considering: if arranged collection and the services included in the contract mean you don’t have to deal with the appliance when you move out.

Bear in mind: you won’t own the appliance, and the minimum term and cancellation terms could make an earlier move more complicated.

Buying new

Worth considering: if you plan to keep the appliance, move it or arrange to resell it after your stay.

Bear in mind: you’ll need to arrange transport, resale and any services you need when you move out.

Buying second-hand or refurbished

Worth considering: if keeping the upfront cost down is important and you can check the appliance’s condition and the terms of sale.

Bear in mind: the protection you’re entitled to depends in part on the seller’s status; refurbished appliances must have undergone performance tests, according to the DGCCRF.

Consideration What to check Who this matters to
Length of stay and moving out Check that your planned end date fits the minimum term; review the cancellation and return arrangements. If I’m moving out on a set date, I want to avoid a contract or resale delaying my move; around 31% of consumers prioritise an easy move-out.
Total cost and ownership Compare the payments over your stay with the purchase price, factoring in any services you need and the possibility of reselling the appliance. If I can use the appliance again after this stay, I want to understand the cost of each option over the whole period; nearly 25% of consumers prioritise the balance between total cost and ownership.
Delivery and breakdowns Check what installation and repair services are included, what they cover and what you need to do if the appliance breaks down. If I can’t transport a large appliance, I want to know who will arrange delivery and any repairs; around 25% of consumers prioritise this kind of support.
Condition and guarantee For a second-hand appliance, check its stated condition, any tests carried out on a refurbished item and the seller’s status. If I choose a second-hand appliance for this stay, I want to know its condition and what I can do if something is wrong; around 19% of consumers put this protection first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing based on the monthly payment alone

    A monthly payment doesn’t tell you the full commitment or what happens if you move out early. In its FAQ, BUT says that cancelling before the end of the term can incur penalties of up to 40% of the rent still owed.

    Compare the total cost over your stay and ask what you’d owe if you moved out earlier.

  • Assuming every service covers your address

    Delivery, installation and collection depend on the offer. Boulanger Location’s terms and conditions, for example, exclude Corsica, France’s overseas territories and Monaco from the areas they cover.

    Before signing up, confirm which services are available and whether your address is covered for the appliance you’re considering.

  • Confusing a private sale with a purchase from a trader

    According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies when you buy a second-hand item from a trader, but not when you buy from a private seller. The term “refurbished” also means that the item has undergone performance tests, as the DGCCRF explains.

    Check who the seller is, how the appliance is described and what information is provided about testing. Keep a copy of the listing and proof of purchase.

  • Leaving return arrangements until moving day

    A hired appliance must be returned according to the terms of the contract. Arranging collection or gathering up accessories can add pressure to an already busy move.

    Check the return terms and arrange collection before you set your moving date.

Retailers and services to consider

These hire services illustrate the commitments and services worth comparing for temporary accommodation. Terms depend on the offer you choose.

Boulanger Location

Boulanger Location offers hire on large appliances, with plans listed for 12, 24 or 36 months.

  • The provider advertises delivery and collection services, depending on the offer.
  • Its FAQ says there is no option to buy at the end of the hire period. Its terms and conditions exclude Corsica, France’s overseas territories and Monaco, so also check which services are available at your address for the product you choose.

BUT

BUT offers long-term hire on eligible products, including appliances, with a choice of contract lengths.

  • The retailer mentions delivery services and breakdown cover, subject to the terms of the contract.
  • Its FAQ says that cancelling early can incur penalties of up to 40% of the rent still owed. Check this term if your moving date might change.

HomeCycle

HomeCycle offers washing machines, dishwashers and fridges for hire, with a minimum term selected when you place your order.

  • The provider says breakdowns and repairs are included in its subscription.
  • Check the minimum term, service area and exclusions in the contract for the appliance you choose.

Joybuy products related to this topic

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Frequently asked questions

Can you buy the appliance at the end of a long-term hire agreement?

Not necessarily: it depends on the plan you choose. The long-term hire arrangements described by the National Consumer Institute and the Bank of France don’t make the hirer the owner and don’t include an option to buy at the end of the contract. Boulanger Location also says it doesn’t offer this option.

What should you check before hiring an appliance for a temporary stay?

Check that the contract term fits your stay, then review the initial payment, included services and end-of-contract terms. The National Consumer Institute and the Bank of France recommend checking installation, removal, maintenance, repairs and early termination in particular. Also ask how the return process works.

Are second-hand or refurbished appliances covered by a legal guarantee in France?

Yes. The legal guarantee of conformity applies when you buy an appliance from a trader, including second-hand and refurbished items; it doesn’t apply to private sales. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, you can make a claim within two years of the item being delivered. For a second-hand item, the defect is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery for one year. Keep your receipt and a copy of the description of the item’s stated condition.

What’s the difference between a second-hand and a refurbished appliance?

A refurbished appliance is a second-hand item that has undergone performance tests and, where necessary, been repaired before resale, according to the DGCCRF. When choosing a particular appliance, also check its stated technical and cosmetic condition rather than relying only on the specifications of the new model.