Renting a washing machine or other household appliances

It was much more common in the past when appliances were very expensive to buy, but I remember when some people even used to rent relatively inexpensive products such as vacuum cleaners. People were afraid of future repair costs and there was a concern about being stuck with old features as appliances evolved (especially with brown goods). Renting felt safer, and of course didn't require any large outlay of money.

The main difference now is that although appliances are no longer so expensive to buy many are less reliable than they were in those days and don't last anywhere near as long.  More importantly many are less repairable because of crazy spare parts prices and increasing labour costs. We are now in a situation where far too many appliances are being written off at often very young ages due to being too expensive to repair.

Many washing machines aren't lasting very long

The average lifespan of a washing machine has plummetted to 7 years. The drive to reduce prices has resulted in many appliances becoming too cheaply made and with extremely high spare parts costs and labour charges. A substantial percentage of them often cost too much to repair when they break down. This can leave some people - especially those that buy at the budget end of the market - trapped in a cycle of replacing major appliances far too often.

Worried by expensive repair costs some people allow themselves to be pursuaded to pay for extended warranties which adds to the financial outlay. Most people don't realise that even when "insured" under these schemes many appliances still get written off just the same when they need expensive parts. You can still find yourlelf with a 6 year old washing machine written off by the insurance company with only a contribution towards the cost of replacing it ( are extended warranties the answer? )

Although not for everyone, renting a washing machine or other appliance may well be worth a try for some. Here are the pros and cons as I see it -

Advantages

• No initial financial outlay or loans to take out
• Prices start at around £3.91 per week
• No more repair bills and call out charges
• If it breaks down and needs an expensive repair it will simply be replaced
• Usually get a fast repair service - often same day/next day
• No stress trying to find a repairer or a replacement if it breaks down

Disadvantages

• It's likely (though not necessarily so these days) that you will pay more over the long term than if you bought an appliance and paid out for any repairs

Am I recommending renting instead of buying?

I haven't thought of more disadvantages, which is surprising. This article is not intended to try and pursuade people to rent, I'm just looking at the pros and cons in a positive manner. If you bought a high quality washing machine and don't suffer many breakdowns it can work out a fair bit cheaper than renting in the long term, but even so for some, not having to invest hundreds of pounds plus the lack of worry about repairs may be well worth it.

If you usually don't have much luck with your washing machines or tend to buy unreliable ones and have to replace them every several years with repairs inbetween it's possible it could work out not much more expensive to rent (or even cheaper) but with a lot less stress.

A lot would depend on the quality of the washing machine you rented and the standard of service you received when it broke down, but anyone renting you an appliance will want you to keep renting so they have a strong incentive to give you excellent aftercare.

Where to rent a washing machine or other white goods apliance

There are possibly many independents renting out reconditioned appliances on a small scale, but for more organised  companies renting new appliances and having a large backup service to look after them you might want to check out rental companies advertising on my appliance rental page.