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 to waste time on unsuitable properties, or even fall for a scam. So understanding how to decode these ads is a critical first step in any successful property search.
Let’s take a look at a typical (fictitious) rental listing.
The first thing to check is that the ad is legitimate. There are a few signs to look out for here:
Photos: How many are there? Do they show the interior, or just the outside? Photos of the building exterior only are a potential red flag.
Agency: look it up. Is it legitimate? Does it have good reviews? Do the words “non è un’agenzia” (“it’s not an agency”) appear anywhere in the listing? The latter is a sure sign that the ad is a scam. Steer well clear!
If it’s a private listing, it may still be legitimate but again, you should tread carefully. Do the photos seem real? Does the price check out or seem too good to be true? If you contact the owner, do they put pressure on you to sign (and pay) immediately? Remember that demand outstrips supply in many major cities – real landlords don’t need to push prospective tenants into signing!
Once you’ve established that it’s genuine, it’s time to see if it actually meets your needs. If possible, you should check the original Italian listing as well as its translation, as there may be details there that aren’t included (or are mistranslated) in the English version.
Number of rooms: the reported number refers to the total number of rooms in the property, not the number of bedrooms. It doesn’t include toilets/bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens. For example, a “bilocale” will have one bedroom and one living room, and a “trilocale” probably two bedrooms and one living room. For larger homes, you’ll need to check the details to find out how many bedrooms versus living rooms there are. The living area may be described as the “zona diurna”, while the sleeping quarters are the “zona notturna”. A “cucina abitabile” is large enough to fit a dining table in; an “angolo cottura” is a cooking area in a living room, rather than a separate kitchen.
Contract type: Does this actually meet your needs? Remember that contract types are strictly regulated in Italy. Whether it’s a “contratto transitorio” (generally translated as “temporary” or “transitory” contract) or a long-term (3+2 or 4+4) lease, if your credentials don’t meet the requirements, you’re unlikely to get a viewing.
Furnishings: Is the apartment furnished or unfurnished (or part furnished)? If unfurnished, does it at least have a kitchen? What is actually included in a “part furnished” apartment? Will any of the owner’s effects be remaining in place? There are no right or wrong answers here: you just need to make sure that you know what is actually on offer, and if it meets your needs.
Exclusions: Some listings are only open to specific categories of tenants, such as college students or teachers. Some higher end properties may only be available to UN agency employees or embassy staff. You might also see an ad for a “casa di rappresentanza”, intended for corporate or diplomatic hospitality rather than for use as a private home. All of these exclusions will be reported in the listing. If you don’t meet the criteria you won’t be able to view it, so cross it off your list and move on to the next one.
Additional fees: Listings don’t always mention the condo fee, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one! It typically ranges from around €50 to €100 a month for an apartment with no “portiere” (concierge service) to around €200 or more with concierge service. Make sure your budget can stretch to that extra fixed charge, and remember that while the condo fee often includes water, other utilities are not covered.
Floor: PT, P1, P2, etc. correspond to ground, 1st and 2nd floor in British English (1st, 2nd and 3rd floor in American English). S, or seminterrato, is the basement. You’ll often see “Attico” translated as Penthouse, but it doesn’t necessarily imply luxury in Italian: it’s just the top floor of the building. In contrast, a “Loft” isn’t necessarily on the top floor: it just means any apartment characterised by open spaces.
Garage (box), car parking: A “box” is a private garage. Check if any parking place is allocated to the apartment or is first come, first served.
Surface: the floor area of the property, It’s usually reported as the total (“commerciale”) area including walls: the usable (“calpestabile”) area will be a little smaller.
Energy efficiency: All properties must now have a certificate of their energy efficiency rating. The lowest class is “G”.
One last tip: if you see “LOCATO” written over the first photo, don’t bother calling – it’s already gone, they just haven’t taken the listing down yet.
Feeling overwhelmed by the Italian real estate market? You can count on me. I have over 25 years’ experience living in Rome and can be your boots on the ground support. Contact me today or book a free consultation to discuss your needs and how I can help you.