HELPMATE ROME

Does the housing market in Rome leave you lost for words?

I can help break down the language barriers separating you from your next home.

YOU’VE MADE IT TO ROME

La Citta Eterna is at your feet. Now you’re looking for a place to call home. There’s just one problem…

You struggle to communicate in Italian. You don’t understand the codes in the adverts. When you call the realtors, they hang up on you. Even if they do understand you, you don’t understand them. And if by some miracle you manage to arrange a viewing, you’ve no idea what questions to ask – or how to ask them. And the Roman housing rental market moves so fast! That place you had your eye on has already gone by the time you work up the determination to try again.

Finding a home in Rome can feel like a full-time job. Here’s why:

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Many real estate agents don’t regularly work in English, so enquiries often go unanswered and calls can be difficult.

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Each agent can only show their own listings, which means you can’t rely on one person to help you see multiple apartments.

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The listings use specific Italian terms that can be confusing. For example, a bilocale isn’t a two-bedroom — it’s a one-bedroom plus living room.

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Contracts can contain hidden clauses or unclear responsibilities. It’s not always obvious what’s your duty as the tenant and what belongs to the landlord.

That’s why I created Helpmate Rome — to bridge the gap between you and the local market. I work only for you — no commissions, no ties to agencies. I handle the calls, book and attend viewings, ask questions in Italian, and review your contract so you know exactly what you’re signing. Once you’ve found your place, I can even help you set up utilities and settle in.

Let me help you

Hi! I’m Marie-Helene. As a long-time resident of Rome, I have an intimate understanding of the city and its inhabitants. After many years in the translation industry, I’m now putting my knowledge and language skills to good use by helping newcomers overcome the many obstacles of the housing market and achieve their dream: a place to call home.

Let's Talk

Your Bridge to Rome

Skip the stress of language barriers and confusing ads – Helpmate connects you directly to the home you want.

From Viewing to Keys

I’m with you at every step: booking viewings, handling paperwork, and closing the deal smoothly.

25+ Years of Know-How

With decades of local experience, Helpmate Rome knows the shortcuts, red flags, and insider tricks of Rome’s housing market.

Stress-Free Settling In

From utilities to landlords, I make moving in effortless so you can start enjoying your new life right away.

Pricing

Getting started: enquiries & viewings

Whether you need help finding suitable properties or simply someone to attend a viewing with you or on your behalf, I can step in wherever you are in the search process.

Enquiries include: contacting agents in Italian, checking availability, clarifying rental details and identifying listings that are genuinely worth pursuing.

Price: from €100 for 5 enquiries.

Viewings include: arranging appointments, attending in person, asking the questions you want answered, and providing a detailed report in English.

Price: from €150 per viewing.

Ready to commit: offer and contract

Once you’ve found the right property, I guide you through the paperwork and negotiations, making sure you understand exactly what you’re offering – and what you’re agreeing to.

Includes: preparing your offer, liaising with agency or landlord, reviewing the contract, explaining key clauses, providing linguistic support throughout the process.

Price: offer + contract support package: €375

Before you move in: inventory, key handover & utilities

Once your contract is signed, I can help with the practical arrangements to make moving into your new home as straightforward as possible.

Inventory and key handover: I’ll complete the handover and collect the keys on your behalf if you’re unable to be there in person, keeping them safe until your arrival.

Price: from €200

Utilities: setting up your electricity and gas (and, if necessary, water) supplies, registering you for Ta.Ri. (waste tax), and coordinating with utility providers as required.

Price: from €150 per utility

Helpmate Signature

A complete end-to-end service for clients who want one point of contact from the very first enquiry until they’re comfortably settled into their new home.

Includes: everything above in one package, with unlimited support throughout your property search and all the practical and linguistic assistance needed to make moving to Italy as straightforward as possible.

Price: €2750 (terms and conditions apply)

Testimonials

★★★★★

"I spent my first few months in Rome moving from one short term let to another. It was impossible for me to find a flat with my broken Italian and without a work contract or a bank guarantee (I am self employed). When Marie-Helene got involved she took over all the communication with the agencies, accompanied me to viewings and translated the documents I needed for the flat applications. After 8 months of my own on-and-off flat search, Marie-Helene helped me get a place after just 2 weeks. It would have been impossible without her help."

– Silke J. Moved to Rome in 2023.

"When I arrived in Rome I had a hotel booking and a couple of weeks of Duolingo Italian under my belt. Unsurprisingly, this made looking for an apartment very challenging. A friend recommended I get in touch with Marie-Helene and she has been amazing. She gave me helpful advice, helped me find a great long-term room in the area I wanted, and came along to the contract signing to make sure everything was as it should be. Besides all that, she has also been so kind and welcoming, making this whole scary process a lot easier. I would absolutely recommend Marie-Helene to anyone trying to navigate the rental market in Rome."

-Helen G. Moved to Rome in April 2024.

"Navigating the Italian rental market as a non-Italian speaker can be overwhelming, but Marie-Helene made the entire process smooth and stress-free. She was incredibly attentive, quickly responding to all my questions, and she handled communication with landlords and agencies flawlessly. Her language skills and deep knowledge of the Rome housing market were invaluable, especially when dealing with complex rental agreements.

-Lori B. Moved to Rome in September 2024.

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Get Started

With over 25 years of living and working in Rome, I have all the experience you need to ease the pain in your search for a room or apartment. From scheduling viewings to navigating paperwork and liaising with agents and landlords, I’ll guide you every step of the way. Together, we’ll pave the way to your new home.