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Renting in Rome: The Agency Process Explained

If you're renting in Rome for the first time, you may be surprised to discover that Italian estate agents don't just charge the landlord – they charge the tenant too. Their fees vary, but can be up to the equivalent of two months’ rent or more, once you’ve factored in...

The Rules Nobody Tells You About Renting in Rome

Imagine competing in a game you've never played before. Everyone else seems to know the rules, but nobody bothers sharing them with you. And by the time you work out what’s going on, you've already lost. That's what it feels like for many foreigners encountering...

How to Rent in Rome Without Speaking Italian

If you don't speak Italian, you might think that finding an apartment in Rome is still doable: it’ll just take a little longer. After all, there's always Google Translate, and most of the listings websites have an English version. Unfortunately, that's not how the...

Renting in Rome: Timing Your Search for Success

If you’re planning a move to Rome, timing matters. Of course, you may not have much choice – if you’re moving for a job or to study, you’re constrained by your start date. But even then, shifting your search by even a month can make a huge difference. And if your...

Why Long-Term Seaside Rentals Near Rome Are Rare

One of the great things about Rome is how close it is to the coast. After a long, hot day at work, you can be cooling off in the sea or relaxing on the beach in under an hour. There’s even a direct train that will take you there for the price of a metro ticket – or a...

Italian Property Ads: How to Understand Them

You might think that browsing Italian property listings is straightforward: look at a few photos, check the price, and pick one that looks good. In reality, they’re dense with implicit information and shorthand. If you don’t know how to interpret them, it’s very easy...

How Landlords Screen Tenants: What to Expect

If you’re looking for a rental in Rome, it helps to understand that landlords (and agencies on their behalf) are not screening you personally: they’re screening risk. Italy’s legal framework is relatively protective of tenants. If a tenant stops paying, recovering...

How to Negotiate Rent in Rome – The Smart Way

If you’re looking for a rental property in Rome, you may be wondering whether rent is negotiable. The realistic answer is: sometimes, but rarely in the way you might expect. In the current Roman rental market, particularly in central and well-connected areas, asking...

Codice Fiscale Explained: How to Get One and Why You Need It to Rent in Italy

If you’re planning a new life in Italy, one of the first administrative requirements you will encounter is the codice fiscale. This is an essential personal identifier used throughout the Italian legal and administrative system. Without it, you’ll find it impossible...

Italian Rental Deposits: Understanding Your Rights

In Italy, tenants are commonly required to pay a security deposit (deposito cauzionale, also known as the caparra) when signing a rental contract. This deposit protects the landlord against unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear and is governed by Italian...

How To Register Your Lease In Italy (and Why It’s so Important)

Moving to, studying in, or working in Italy often means entering into a rental agreement (contratto di locazione). Italy requires that such lease agreements be formally registered with the national revenue authority, the Agenzia delle Entrate, within strict legal...

How to Get Around Rome: Ticket Options Explained

Confusion about how to use (and above all, pay for) public transport in Rome abounds on social media. Every day there seems to be another story about a hapless tourist being fined for unknowingly violating the rules. However, ignorance is no defence and the ATAC...

How To find Your People In Rome

When I first moved to Rome, the internet was still a clunky dial-up affair. Web 2.0 hadn’t happened yet, Facebook wasn’t a thing, and there was no such thing as a smartphone – let alone a WhatsApp group. If you wanted to meet people, you had to do it the...

Renting with Pets: Rights, Laws, and Tips for Tenants

As a dedicated slave to two pampered cats, I know the importance of our bond with our companion animals. You may find it unthinkable to move without your furry (or feathered) friend. But how easy will it be to find a landlord who’s willing to rent to you (and your...

Budget-friendly Rentals: Where €2K Goes Further in Rome

In part 1 of this guide, I focussed on the most popular – and hence most expensive – areas of Rome. But what if your budget won’t stretch that far? Or you’re looking for something quieter and more suited for family life? Read on to discover some of Rome’s more...

Powering RAI: Paying Italy’s TV Licence Fee through Your Electricity Bill

by Marie-Helene | May 21, 2024

Italy has an interesting approach to funding its state-owned TV company, RAI. While RAI also generates revenue through advertising, a significant part of its funding comes from a licence fee. To address issues of evasion and ensure broader compliance, a few years ago...

Prima casa, seconda casa: what do they mean?

by Marie-Helene | May 10, 2024

Prima casa, seconda casa: What do they mean and what are the implications?First house, second house… the translation is easy and the meaning’s clear, right? Or maybe not.In English, “first home” typically refers to a property bought by someone who has never previously...

Decoding Italian Real Estate Ads: A Quick Guide

by Marie-Helene | Apr 22, 2024

Whether you’re looking for a superattico or a palazzo, you won’t get far if you don’t understand what the real estate ads are telling you. So let’s demystify their language. From floor details to contract terms, I’ve decoded it all for you!Cracking the Floor CodeS1...

Avoiding scams

by Marie-Helene | Apr 15, 2024

Avoiding scams in the Rome housing rental marketThe rental market can be a daunting place, especially for expats who might be unfamiliar with the local landscape. Unfortunately, scammers often prey on unsuspecting individuals. Here are some common scams to watch out...

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