If you’re equipping temporary accommodation, renting is worth considering if the services on offer and the return arrangements suit your stay. Buying new or second-hand takes more organisation, but you’ll have the appliance at the end of your stay. Compare the cost over the full period you expect to need it and check what you’ll need to do when you leave: the National Consumer Institute points out that a long-term rental can cost more than buying.
Whether you’re studying, on a work assignment or between homes, you want to use the essentials without having to arrange their resale and transport when you leave. Delivery and collection services offered by some rental companies may suit you, subject to the terms of the contract.
You could buy an appliance, but want to compare the cost with everything you’d pay to rent one for the full length of your stay. The National Consumer Institute recommends taking the rental period and offer conditions into account.
You’re happy to check the condition, operation and transport arrangements for a used or refurbished appliance. The seller’s status matters too: the Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between the protections that apply when buying from a business and those that apply to a sale between individuals.
Worth considering: if avoiding resale and arranging collection matter more to you than keeping the appliance.
The trade-off: you’re still bound by the contract’s terms on rental length, cancellation and returning the appliance.
Worth considering: if you want to keep the appliance or can arrange to transport or resell it at the end of your stay.
The trade-off: you’ll need to plan for installation and removing the appliance when you leave, depending on the services included with your purchase.
Worth considering: if keeping your initial spend down is the priority and you can carefully check the appliance and sale conditions.
The trade-off: you’ll need to pay particular attention to its condition, transport and the seller’s status.
| Consideration | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Moving out and length of stay | For a rental, check the minimum term and cancellation conditions against your possible departure date, and confirm how collection works. | If my stay ends earlier than expected, I want to be able to leave without having to resell or move a large appliance. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this flexibility at the end of their stay. |
| Cost over the full period | Compare the rental payments due over the contract period with the cost of a comparable purchase, taking into account the services actually included and any potential resale. | I can buy from the start, but I don’t want to choose a rental based only on how low the monthly payment looks. For around 31% of consumers, the total cost would be their main concern. |
| Installation and support | Confirm delivery, installation, repairs and collection for the appliance and address concerned; measure the space and check the connections. | Without an easy way to install or move a large appliance, I’m looking for a solution that works in my home and clear support if it breaks down. This would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Upfront cost and second-hand options | Identify the seller, the appliance’s condition and its status; check that it works and find out how it will be transported. | To equip my home without spending too much upfront, I’m happy to consider a used or refurbished appliance. Around 13% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
The monthly payment doesn’t represent everything you’ll have to pay. The National Consumer Institute points out that a long-term rental can cost more than buying the appliance.
Work out the upfront payment, all instalments due during your contract and any fees set out in the terms. Then compare the total with the cost of buying the same model, or a genuinely comparable one, and don’t forget to factor in the services included with each option.
These services aren’t interchangeable: a delivered appliance may still need to be installed, and whether it will be collected at the end of your stay depends on the offer. The National Consumer Institute also recommends checking maintenance, repairs and early termination terms.
Ask which terms apply to the appliance and your address, then check separately what happens when it arrives, while you’re using it and when you leave.
A washing machine, fridge or dishwasher needs to fit through the doors, fit in the space available and, where necessary, connect to the available services.
Measure the delivery route and the usable space, including clearance. If the appliance needs to be connected, check the water supply, drainage and power requirements before confirming the purchase or installation.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to used or refurbished goods sold by a business, but not to sales between individuals. The DGCCRF states that a product sold as refurbished must have undergone operational testing before it is offered for sale.
Check the seller’s status and how the product is described, ask for details about its condition and keep the sales documents. Also plan for its transport and installation.
The services offered by these companies may help you organise a temporary stay. Whether they’re right for you depends on the terms available for the appliance, address and rental period you need.
Rental of large household appliances, including washing machines, fridges and dishwashers.
Rental of appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and fridges.
A rental offer available in store, covering appliances and furniture among other things.
Rental of large household appliances, including fridge-freezers, washing machines and dishwashers.
These appliances could meet a range of needs in temporary accommodation, from doing laundry in a small space to refrigeration or dishwashing, if your home has a suitable space. If you’re weighing up buying against renting, compare each appliance and the arrangements needed to remove it when you leave with a rental offer for a similar need.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a portable laundry solution for temporary accommodation. Check that its capacity suits your laundry and that it’s suitable for use in your home.
The title lists three operating times of 2, 5 and 10 minutes, a power rating of 40 W, a speed of 320 rpm, a draining basket and suction cups.
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If your home needs both fridge and freezer space, check the full dimensions and access before choosing this freestanding model.
The title lists a 174 L capacity, Low Frost technology, an adjustable thermostat, LED lighting and a reversible door. Low Frost does not mean No Frost.
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Its stated width of 54 cm could make it worth considering for a narrow kitchen. Remember to measure the height and depth, as well as the clearance needed.
The title divides the 227 L capacity into 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space. It also lists Low Frost, a reversible door and adjustable feet.
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If you’re considering an appliance of this capacity for your stay, make sure you can install it and move it when you leave.
The title lists 182 L of fridge space and 71 L of freezer space, along with No Frost, LED lighting and a stated noise level of 39 dB. Check the full dimensions before ordering.
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Worth considering if your home has space for a freestanding dishwasher and the necessary connections. Also check how you’ll remove it at the end of your stay.
The title lists 14 place settings, a width of 60 cm and a noise level of 41 dB.
No. It depends on how long you need the appliance, the terms of the contract and the services included. The National Consumer Institute warns that a long-term rental can cost more than buying, so compare the total amount due for your stay with the cost of a similar appliance. Then consider what each option saves you from having to organise when you leave.
Start by checking the minimum rental period and the terms for ending the contract early. The National Consumer Institute recommends checking for any penalties and the return arrangements. Also ask how and when the appliance would be collected from your address.
What you need to do depends on the contract: Boulanger Location says its rentals of large household appliances include after-sales service, while HomeCycle says it covers maintenance and repairs subject to its terms. Before you sign, read the breakdown reporting process, exclusions and any maintenance tasks you’ll be responsible for.
No. In France, according to the Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to used or refurbished goods sold by a business, but not to sales between individuals. Check who the seller is before you buy and keep information about the appliance’s condition.