Renting In Italy

Italians aren’t typically renters… over 80% of the population owns their home, so the rental mentality isn’t strong here.

Hiring an agency is the easy but expensive route, typically costing the equivalent of one month’s rent.

To go it alone, you’ll need to make sure you translate your internet searches into Italian and hunt for yourself. This also means having to communicate and negotiate with the landlord yourself, so might not be an option if you aren’t confident in Italian. In newsstands all over the country you’ll find magazines and newspapers specializing in real estate. You can also search the websites like HousingAnywhere, Bussola Casa, and idealista.

There are four main types of legal leases in Italy:

1. Free lease: Longer-term lease of four years and renewable for another four. Rent can be negotiated between owner and tenant.
2. Canon-agreed contract: Three-year lease, renewable for another two. Rent is lower than the average market price.
3. Transitory contract: Short-term lease for rentals of minimum one month to maximum 18 months; non-renewable.
4. Student contracts: Negotiated between the city and universities. Leases can last between six months and three years and are automatically renewed unless the tenant decides to leave.

Italian leases must always be in writing and formalized at the local Registry.

To rent an apartment as an expat, you’ll need a residence permit, employment contract or proof of funds, and a social security number. To avoid a tax audit or legal issues, there are a few elements of the contract you need to be aware of and comply with…

• You need to register the contract within 30 days of signing it
• Both parties’ details need to be included in the contract (things like name, date of birth, residence, social security number, etc.)
• The property needs to be accurately defined: where it’s located, number of rooms, purpose for which it’s leased (i.e., residential, office, commercial, etc.), and the cadastral data needs to be reported
• The contract must specify the agreed price for the rent or lease of the property and the amount that will be paid in one year
• The annual costs—expenses for the elevator, insurance, heating, and so on, which can’t exceed 10% of the agreed rent
• The duration of the contract needs to be defined

You’ll also need to pay a deposit, which is typically one month’s rent but can’t be more than three months’ rent. You get this back after your contract finishes—plus interest (currently at 3%)—assuming you don’t damage the property. You may also be asked to pay some months up front, up to three months’ rent—that means you could be asked to pay six months’ rent upon signing the contract.