Before choosing an appliance, check what’s already provided in your accommodation. For a temporary need, renting is worth considering if the rental period and services suit your stay. Buying new or second-hand may be a better option if you can keep, move or resell the appliance. A compact model can help when space is limited, but you’ll still need to check its capacity and connections.
In a studio flat or student residence, first check which appliances are already there, then think about what you’ll be able to take with you when you leave. According to the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, two-thirds of students were living away from the family home in 2023. This figure describes their living arrangements, not their preferences when it comes to household appliances.
If you know when you’ll be leaving, think about transporting, reselling or returning large appliances when you first move in. The rental term should fit the length of your stay.
Check which appliances are missing and what connections are available before placing an order. In a furnished property used as a main residence, a washing machine isn’t included in the minimum list of required equipment, as the French National Agency for Housing Information explains.
Start by checking what’s already provided, then weigh up each option against the length of your stay, installation requirements and what you’ll do with the appliance when you leave.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Appliances already provided | Check the inventory and test the appliances. For a furnished property used as a main residence, the French decree of 31 July 2015 requires, among other things, a hob, an oven or microwave, and a fridge with a freezer solution that meets its conditions. A washing machine isn’t on this minimum list. | I want to add to what’s provided without buying an appliance that’s already there and working. |
| Length of stay | Compare your departure date with the rental term and the terms for ending the agreement. If you buy, plan to keep, move or resell the appliance. The French National Consumer Institute recommends renting when you only need an appliance for a limited time. | I know roughly when I’ll be leaving, and I may not want to take a large appliance with me. |
| Services and moving out | Ask who’s responsible for delivery, installation, repairs, disconnection and collection. If you rent, also check the condition the appliance must be in when you return it and the terms for ending the agreement early. | Before I move in, I’d like to know who’ll look after the appliance if it breaks down and when I leave. |
| Space and connections | Measure the space, access routes and clearance needed. For a washing machine, check the water inlet and waste outlet; for any appliance, check the required power supply and plug. | In a small home, I’m interested in a compact model only if it has enough capacity for my needs. |
| Buying second-hand | Check the appliance’s condition and specifications, as well as the seller’s status. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the statutory conformity guarantee applies to second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business, but not to second-hand sales between private individuals. | If I buy second-hand, I want to know the appliance’s condition and what protection comes with my purchase. |
In a furnished property used as a main residence, certain kitchen appliances are part of the minimum equipment required under the French decree of 31 July 2015. Ordering too soon could mean buying an appliance that’s already there.
Ask for the inventory, check that the appliances work and make a note of their condition before adding anything.
A long-term rental agreement could run on after you’ve moved out. Rental periods and cancellation terms vary from one contract to another.
Check the initial term, any extension, early cancellation terms and return arrangements for the appliance you’re considering.
If you leave early, you may also need to arrange for the appliance to be collected before you hand back the keys.
Delivery, installation, repairs and collection depend on the offer and the appliance. The French National Consumer Institute recommends checking these details in the rental agreement.
Ask for written confirmation of the services that apply to your appliance and address, then keep a copy of the terms you’ve accepted.
In France, according to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory conformity guarantee covers second-hand goods bought from a business, but doesn’t apply to second-hand sales between private individuals.
Check who the seller is before you buy, inspect the appliance and keep the paperwork provided with the sale.
A rental option to consider if services for a large appliance matter during your stay.
A retailer to consider if your stay is long enough to suit a rental agreement lasting several years.
A Bosch dishwasher model is listed in the Boulanger Location catalogue. Its inclusion doesn’t indicate whether other models from the brand are suitable for temporary accommodation.
These appliances are for buying to add to your accommodation: refrigeration, microwave cooking and laundry. First check what’s already provided; these products aren’t a substitute for checking the terms of a rental agreement.
Image unavailableWorth considering if your accommodation needs a fridge-freezer that you can keep after your stay. The product title specifies 153 L of fridge space, 74 L of freezer space, a width of 54 cm and a reversible door. Measure the space and check the freezer compartment’s temperature if that’s important to your choice.
Image unavailableFor a kitchen that genuinely needs an oven or microwave, this model is listed with a 25 L capacity and 900 W of power. Check that you have enough space and the right type of plug. If you need a grill function, check that this model has one before buying.
Image unavailableThis 45 L model could suit you if you need extra refrigeration in a small space. Check that the capacity is enough for your needs. If it’s going to be the only fridge in a furnished property used as a main residence, also check that its freezer solution meets the requirements of the French decree of 31 July 2015.
Image unavailableThis 10 kg washing machine is an option if your accommodation doesn’t have a suitable one and you plan to keep it or can arrange to move it. Before choosing a freestanding appliance for a short stay, check the space, access routes, water inlet and waste outlet.
Image unavailableThis portable, foldable model could suit occasional washing if you’re short on space. The stated 10 L volume isn’t a laundry capacity in kilograms. Before deciding whether it meets your needs, check how much laundry it can hold, its power supply, drainage and dimensions.
For a furnished property used as a main residence, the French decree of 31 July 2015 requires, among other things, a hob, an oven or microwave, and a fridge with a freezer or compartment that can reach a temperature of −6 °C or below. A washing machine isn’t on this minimum list. Check the inventory and condition of the appliances before buying one.
It can be a good option if your need is temporary and the contract term matches the length of your stay. The French National Consumer Institute gives the example of a student moving for their studies. Check which services are included and what happens if you leave early.
Check the rental term, installation, repairs covered, disconnection, return arrangements and terms for ending the agreement early. These obligations depend on the contract, so don’t assume they’re included just because a retailer advertises them.
Yes. In France, the statutory conformity guarantee applies to second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It doesn’t apply to second-hand sales between private individuals, so check who the seller is and keep your proof of purchase.
No. Boulanger Location’s terms and conditions state that its offer is available in mainland France, excluding the overseas departments and territories, Corsica and Monaco. Check that your address is eligible for the offer you’re considering; this restriction doesn’t describe the terms of other rental providers.