On Rentomojo's Mumbai page, a 190L single-door fridge rents for ₹524 a month on a 36-month plan. That's ₹18,864 over three years, and at the end the fridge goes back. Renting still makes sense in plenty of cases, just not in all of them.
Quick take: rent when you're unsure how long you'll stay or only need something for a few months, and buy (new or second-hand) when you'll use it for years and can pay upfront. Below is how rental plans, deposits and early-closure fees work in India, and where the maths tips one way or the other.
How renting actually works in India
Rental platforms like Rentomojo and Furlenco run on a subscription model. You pick a product, choose a tenure, complete KYC, pay a refundable security deposit, and the item is delivered and installed. After that, rent is usually auto-debited every month.
A few details matter more than the headline price:
- Tenure changes the rent. On Rentomojo, plans typically run from 3 months up to 36 months, and some products start only at 6 months. The longer you commit, the lower the monthly rent. Their Mumbai page says a 36-month plan often costs 30 to 40 percent less per month than a 3-month plan.
- The deposit is refundable, but not automatic. Rentomojo's terms say the deposit comes back after pickup and a quality check, and that charges for damage or pending dues can be deducted first. It also doesn't earn any interest while they hold it.
- Leaving early costs money. Rentomojo's fridge page mentions an early-closure fee if you return before the minimum tenure. Furlenco's subscription terms go further: if you end the subscription during the minimum period, the company can forfeit the security deposit.
None of this is hidden or shady. It's in the terms. But a lot of people skim them, and then get surprised at the end.
What renting costs over time
Here's a real example. On Rentomojo's Mumbai fridge page, a 190L single door fridge is listed at ₹669 a month on a 3-month plan, ₹535 on a 12-month plan and ₹524 on a 36-month plan. Prices change, so check the current numbers for your city.
Now do the maths. At ₹524 a month for 36 months, you pay ₹18,864 in rent over three years. At the end, the fridge goes back. If you'd stayed on the 12-month rate and kept renewing, it would be ₹19,260.
So the question to ask is simple: what would a decent fridge of that size cost to buy, new or used, in your city right now? If the number is close to (or below) three years of rent, owning starts to look better the longer you stay. If you're only around for six months, renting can easily win.
I do this sum for anything I'm thinking of renting. Monthly rent multiplied by the months I realistically expect to use it, plus any fees, compared against the purchase price minus what I could resell it for later. It takes two minutes and saves a lot of regret.
Short-term rentals: where renting really shines
Monthly subscriptions are one thing. Day rentals are a different story, and honestly, this is where renting makes the most sense.
Take cameras. Rental shops in Bengaluru list a Sony A7 III body at roughly ₹1,500 to ₹2,100 a day. QwikGear, for example, charges ₹1,600 for a single day and drops the daily rate for longer bookings. If you shoot a cousin's wedding once a year and a trip to Coorg once in a while, renting a full-frame camera for those few days is far cheaper than buying one that sits in a cupboard the rest of the year.
Bikes work the same way. Royal Brothers lists approximate rates of about ₹17 an hour or ₹408 a day for bikes in Bengaluru, with prices varying by model. For a weekend ride to Nandi Hills, that's a no-brainer. For a daily office commute, two years of rentals will add up fast, and buying (even a used scooter) usually makes more sense.
When buying makes more sense
You'll use it every day for years
Fridges, washing machines, beds, mattresses, a work laptop. If you'll use it daily for three years or more, you're usually better off owning it. Rent is money that never comes back. A purchase keeps some value you can get back by reselling.
Your life is fairly settled
If you've been in the same city for a while and don't plan to move soon, the main advantage of renting (flexibility) isn't doing much for you.
You care about choice
Rental catalogues are limited. If you want a specific laptop configuration, a particular sofa or a brand you trust, buying gives you far more options.
You want it to feel like yours
You can't really customise a rented wardrobe, and you'll be more careful with a rented sofa than you'd like to be, because damage comes out of your deposit.
When renting makes more sense
You're new to a city or on a short posting
Students, interns and people on a 6 to 12 month project are the classic case. Renting means no big upfront spend and no headache selling everything when you leave.
You need it for days, not months
Cameras, lenses, projectors, camping gear, a bike for a trip. Occasional use plus high price is the sweet spot for renting.
You want to try before you commit
Not sure if you'll actually use that treadmill? Renting it for three months is a cheap way to find out.
You can't spare a large amount right now
Renting spreads the cost out. Just remember that spreading the cost is not the same as lowering it.
Buying vs renting at a glance
| Factor | Renting | Buying new | Buying second-hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low (deposit + first month) | High | Moderate |
| Long-term cost | Highest if you use it for years | Medium (you get resale value back) | Usually lowest |
| Flexibility | High, within tenure terms | Low | Medium (you can resell) |
| Ownership | Never yours | Yours | Yours |
| Choice | Limited to catalogue | Widest | Wide, varies by listing |
| Maintenance | Often included | Warranty, then you pay | Your responsibility |
| Best for | Short stays, occasional use | Long use, latest models | Long use on a budget |
The middle path: buying second-hand
There's also a middle path. If you rented when you first arrived and now know you're staying, you can return the rented fridge and buy a used one from someone who's moving out, often a family relocating abroad. It costs a fraction of a new one, and if you move cities again, you can sell it and get a good chunk of that money back.
That's why I think second-hand often beats both options for expensive items. You get the ownership and freedom of buying, at a price much closer to a few months of rent. And because resale is always open to you, you keep a lot of the flexibility that makes renting attractive in the first place.
It's also kinder to the planet. Every fridge or laptop that gets a second owner is one less product made from scratch and one less item headed to a scrapyard.
A few things to keep in mind when you buy used:
- Inspect and test the item in person, ideally in daylight.
- Ask for the original bill and check if any warranty is left.
- For appliances, ask how old it is and whether it's been repaired.
- Pay only after you've seen it, and never send an advance to someone you haven't met.
At ReOwnIt, we're building a place where buying, selling, renting, lending and swapping pre-owned things all live in one place, so you can pick whatever fits the moment. Rent the camera for the wedding. Buy the fridge second-hand. Sell it when you move. The apps aren't live yet, but if owning less, experiencing more and wasting less sounds right to you, keep an eye on reownit.in. We'd love to have you there.
Frequently asked questions
For a short stay of under a year, renting is often cheaper and far less hassle. For three years or more, buying usually works out cheaper, especially if you buy second-hand and resell when you move.
Yes, both describe the deposit as refundable, but only after the items are picked up and inspected. Damage charges and pending dues can be deducted, and Furlenco's terms allow it to forfeit the deposit if you end the subscription during the minimum period.
It depends on the plan. Rentomojo mentions an early-closure fee for returns before the minimum tenure, and Furlenco's terms allow deposit forfeiture in that case. Read the closure terms before you choose a tenure.
If you shoot only a few days a year, rent. Day rates for a full-frame body like the Sony A7 III are around ₹1,500 to ₹2,100 in Bengaluru. If you shoot every week, buying, possibly used, makes more sense.
It can be, if you test the appliance before paying, check its age and repair history, ask for the bill, and pay only after inspection. Meeting in person and keeping the conversation on the platform helps too.
