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 pets)?
First, let’s have a quick look at Italian law. The good news? Condominiums cannot stop residents from owning pets. Article 1138 of the Italian civil code, as amended by Law no. 220 of 2012 (the Condominium Reform), categorically affirms: The provisions of the condominium regulations may not prohibit owning or keeping domestic animals.
Of course, that’s not the end of the matter. Your landlord is perfectly entitled to specify that pets are not permitted. However, if they’re not mentioned in the contract, there’s nothing to stop you keeping them.
So if you’re looking to move to Italy with your pet, what should you do? Keep quiet and hope for the best? Or be upfront and negotiate an agreement?
Obviously that’s up to you, but I would always advocate for honesty. Let’s take the cases of two recent clients of mine.
M.L.* moved from the States with her dog, a registered emotional support animal. I found her an apartment with tile floors (no scratchable parquet!) and a landlady who was happy to accept the certificates of her dog’s special training.
D.C.* moved from Spain with her two cats. After years of international UN postings, she’s well practiced at preventing her cats from damaging rented furnishings. So she came prepared! Along with plenty of scratching posts, she covered the landlord’s soft furnishings with thick blankets to protect them from her cats’ claws. She also agreed to an increased security deposit to cover any damage.
* Initials changed for confidentiality
As you can see, moving with pets in Italy is absolutely doable – as long as you show landlords you’re a responsible owner. A little extra reassurance goes a long way. Offer references, highlight your pet’s training, take preventive measures, and/or suggest an increased deposit. Prove that your four-legged flatmate won’t cost them a cent, and you’ll find the door (and the treat jar!) wide open.
Not sure your Italian is fluent enough to sweet-talk your prospective landlord into welcoming your pet? I can help! Book your free consultation today.