For temporary student accommodation, renting may suit you if you want to avoid transporting and then reselling an appliance, provided the rental term, included services and return arrangements fit your leaving date. Buying a compact or refurbished appliance gives you more flexibility over how long you keep it, but you’ll need to check that it can be installed in your accommodation and decide what to do with it when you leave.
If you’d rather not move or resell a large appliance, look at offers that include delivery, installation and collection. France’s National Consumer Institute cites setting up a student’s accommodation as one situation where renting can meet a temporary need. The exact arrangements will depend on the contract, however.
If space and access are tight, start by checking the appliance’s dimensions and the capacity you need. You can buy or rent a compact model, but its size alone won’t solve the question of what to do when you leave.
If you can keep the appliance for the duration of your stay and arrange to move, donate or resell it afterwards, buying is worth considering. France’s National Consumer Institute notes that how long you need an appliance is an important factor when weighing up renting versus buying.
Start by working out when you’re likely to leave, then compare the commitments involved in renting with what you could do with an appliance you’ve bought. Consider compact, refurbished and new models next: these features can overlap, rather than being mutually exclusive options.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Moving out and support | Whether delivery and installation are included; how breakdowns are dealt with and what return arrangements are set out in the contract. | I want to leave my accommodation without reselling or transporting an appliance, and know who to contact if it breaks down. Around 31% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
| Contract length | The end date of the contract and the terms that apply if you leave earlier than expected. | If my placement or studies finish before the agreed end date, I want to be able to leave my accommodation without remaining tied to the appliance. This flexibility would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Space and connections | The model’s dimensions, the route into your accommodation and any connections required. | In a studio flat, I need to be able to get the appliance in and install it without taking up the space I need every day. Around 19% of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Condition and support | The seller, the appliance’s condition, proof of purchase and who to contact for after-sales support. | If I buy a second-hand or refurbished appliance, I want to know who to turn to if something is wrong. Clear after-sales support would be the top consideration for around 19% of consumers. |
A rental contract that ends after you’ve left may involve different steps or obligations from those you’d expect for a short stay. BUT, for example, lists terms of 36, 48, 60 or 72 months, depending on the product, while Kazoo offers several different plans.
Compare the contract end date with your study schedule, and read the clauses that apply if you leave earlier, too.
You may need to return the appliance to a collection point or arrange a collection, depending on the plan. Being able to cancel doesn’t necessarily mean all your obligations end straight away.
Before signing, check the contract length, how to return the appliance and the rules for accessories or damage.
An appliance described as compact may still be difficult to fit through a narrow doorway or install somewhere without the necessary connections.
Measure the access route and the space available, then check them against the exact model’s dimensions and installation requirements.
Condition, seller and included services vary from one appliance to another. For purchases from a business in France, Service-Public.fr states that the statutory conformity guarantee also applies to second-hand and refurbished goods, subject to the rules for defects that existed when the goods were supplied.
Check who the seller is and what condition the appliance is described as being in, then keep a copy of the product listing and proof of purchase.
Rental service covering large household appliances, including washing machines.
Long-term rental of furniture and large household appliances.
Appliance rental service with different terms depending on the plan you choose.
Network offering refurbished large and small household appliances.
Sales channel offering second-hand and refurbished large household appliances.
These appliances available on Joybuy are compact options to buy for a small home. Compare their size and intended use with your accommodation, then plan what to do with them at the end of your stay. They’re not a substitute for checking the terms of a rental agreement.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a small fridge to place in temporary accommodation.
The model name indicates a capacity of 45 L, adjustable feet and an E energy rating. Check the space available and allow enough room to open the door.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a foldable washing appliance for a small space, though don’t assume it will replace a standard washing machine.
The product title lists three operating times of 2, 5 and 10 minutes, as well as a 40 W motor. Check its dimensions and connections, and make sure the stated capacity will suit your laundry needs.
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Compare it with the space available if you’d like to own a fridge during your stay.
The model is listed with an 82 L capacity and an E energy rating. Check its external dimensions and, if you need a freezer, the exact configuration before ordering.
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Worth considering if you need a fridge and want to check how it will fit in a small home.
The product title lists a capacity of 92 L, a footprint of 0.22 m² and an E energy rating. Before ordering, also check the height, depth and exact layout of the freezer compartment.
It can be a good option if you want to avoid owning and then reselling an appliance, and the contract ends on terms that fit your move-out date. France’s National Consumer Institute specifically cites setting up a student’s accommodation as a temporary need for which renting can be useful. Still, check what’s included and how long you’re committed for.
It depends on the plan you’ve signed up for and its cancellation terms. Being able to start the process online doesn’t mean your commitment ends straight away. France’s National Consumer Institute recommends checking the consequences of cancelling early; you should also read the arrangements for returning the appliance.
The terms vary depending on how long you’ve rented for and which return method you choose. Kazoo’s FAQ describes returning an appliance to a collection point after paying for three months of rental, with different terms for earlier returns or home collection. Also check the requirements for the appliance’s condition and accessories.
Yes. In France, the statutory conformity guarantee also applies to refurbished goods bought from a business. Service-Public.fr states that a defect which existed when the goods were supplied must become apparent within two years. Keep your proof of purchase and a record of the condition described, and distinguish this statutory guarantee from any commercial guarantee offered.
Not as a customer for this offer: Boulanger Location’s published terms require customers to be at least 18. This age requirement applies to this particular service; check the provider’s criteria if you’re considering another rental option.