The number of Australians choosing to rent essential domestic equipment is on the rise as household appliances rental company, Radio Rentals (trading as Rentlo in South Australia), has revealed.

Figures unveiled in parent company The Thorn Group’s year-end results show that the number of people renting Radio Rentals home furnishings including sofas and beds increased by 36 per cent on the previous year and rentals on washing machines and refrigerators increased by 10 per cent. These increases point to a step-change in consumer behaviour and a move away from traditional debt-financed purchasing methods.

Radio Rentals’ findings, including strong year on year customer growth, support suggestions that the tough economic conditions of recent years are having an impact on consumer spending and people are turning to rental agreements in order to gain flexibility and avoid over-committing themselves in debt. However, keeping up to speed with the latest technology and not compromising on life’s essentials remains a priority.

While many Australians continue to seek the latest in computer and flat panel television technology by renting – sales figures for these products were also up – Radio Rentals maintains a strict responsible renting policy.