Renting/Borrowing a house that does not have a Mezuzah:[1]
A. Outside of Eretz Yisrael:
When renting or borrowing[2] a home outside of Eretz Yisrael, one is not obligated to place a Mezuzah on it for the first thirty days that he lives there.[3]
Chabad custom:[4] The current Chabad Custom[5], as advised by the Rebbe, is to place the Mezuzah on without a blessing immediately upon moving in to the new home.[6] After the thirtieth day one is to remove one of the Mezuzahs to be checked and then replaced, or to be switched for a more Mehudar Mezuzah. When placing on the new Mezuzah one is to recite a blessing and have in mind to include all the other Mezuzahs that were already placed.
B. In Eretz Yisrael:
When renting or borrowing[7] a home in Eretz Yisrael one is obligated to place Mezuzahs on all the doors immediately upon moving in.[8]
Hotel:[9] When staying in a hotel one is not obligated to place a Mezuzah for the first thirty days, even in Eretz Yisrael.
C. Renting from a Gentile:[10]
In the above laws, it makes no difference if one is renting the home from a Non-Jew, either way it has the same obligation in requiring a Mezuzah.[11] This however is with exception to if there is suspicion that placing it on the non-Jews home will enter him into danger, as explained above.[12]
D. Who is obligated to place the Mezuzah?
The laws regarding who is obligated to place the Mezuzah and if the renter may take the Mezuzahs with him upon leaving the home, will be explained in chapter 291.
When is a Mezuzah to be placed on a purchased home?
The Mezuzah is obligated to be placed on the first day that one lives there. This applies even in the Diaspora.
[1] 286/22
[2] Rama ibid
[3] Michaber ibid
[4] Igros Kodesh 13/169; 15/389 [printed in Shulchan Menachem 5/226; Shaarey Halacha Uminhag 3 126]
[5] Custom of Rebbe Rashab: There is however a testimony from Rav Yaakov Landau OBM that the Rebbe Rashab waited approximately two weeks before placing on the Mezuzahs. The reason for this was told to Rav Landau from the Friedeker Rebbe in the name of his father, that the Mezuzah is a makif, and being that one needs to draw the makif inwards, it requires Avodah, which thus caused the delay of putting up the Mezuzah. The Rebbe Rashab stated that “In my home not one splinter of wood will remain unrefined. The Rebbe however explained that this custom of the Rebbe Rashab is not a custom meant for the public, as we are not on levels in which we can affect the drawing of the makif inwards through our Avodah, and thus there is no reason to delay placing on the Mezuzahs as soon as one moves in. [Rebbe ibid]
[6] Other opinions: The Pischeiy Teshuvah 286/17 however brings the Ashel Avraham which allows one to even say a blessing if he so chooses, even when placing the Mezuzah prior to thirty days. He writes that it is similar to a borrowed Tallis of which the blessing is optional for the first thirty days.
[7] Rama ibid
[8] The reason: In order to settle the land of Eretz Yisrael. [Michaber ibid]
[9] Michaber ibid
[10] 286/23
[11] Michaber ibid
[12] Shach 286/29
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