What have you rented in the last year? A holiday cottage or perhaps an after dinner suit? Perhaps a marquee for a family event or an item of equipment for some landscape gardening. Renting rather than owning outright is an important economic choice - each decision requires a calibration of the private costs and benefits.

This BBC news video brings back memories - in the 1970s renting televisions was all the rage and a quick pop down to the Rediffusion store was as common as a trip for your weekly groceries.

In this harsh economic climate, there seems to be generalised shift towards renting rather than ownership - from televisions and power tools to personal accessories, from dvds to property. Demand for rented goods is growing and the choice of products available to lease is surprisingly wide! The Erento web site is mentioned - here is the link.