Many Moldovans move to Italy to work and provide their families with a decent lifestyle. The range of employment opportunities in Italy is much wider than in Moldova.
If your employer takes care of your relocation, then you don’t have to worry about things like your work permit and such. Still, with the opportunities available in Italy also come many everyday issues that must be dealt with. Among the major ones is finding a place to live in Italy and renting it at a reasonable price.
Here we explore in detail the ways to find a property in Italy and give recommendations to our readers from Moldova. Obviously, describing the whole process would go beyond the scope of this article. But we hope to offer some practical advice to those looking for a place to live and want to know more about renting a property in Italy.
Where to look for real estate in Italy?
One way is to contact a real estate agent. This option saves you a lot of time. You don’t have to sieve through hundreds of online ads and then handle the bureaucracy. An experienced agent usually stays on top of the local market and is able to suggest the options suitable for your needs and wants.
But there are drawbacks as well. The agent fees may come as an unpleasant surprise. You will have to pay an amount equalling one-month rent plus tax. Among other tasks, an agent is expected to help you find the best accommodation options within the shortest time possible; however, in some cases, even the agent’s help does not guarantee quick positive results.
You may try to find a place to live yourself. The most popular websites to search for real estate are listed below. These have a selection of rental properties ranging from luxury villas to basic studios.
· Immobiliare.it
· Idealista.it
· Casa.it
· Subito.it
These websites are very convenient to browse, thanks to their filtering features. You are offered the best options according to the desired budget, area, and property type.
Your destination also plays a role. If you’re aiming for a town or a village, pay attention to street signs or ads. If you’re a student, then have a look at the notice board at your university, which might as well be your chance to find a roommate or grab a good offer to rent a flat in Italy on a budget.
In addition, it would be a good idea to go online and check dedicated spaces, for example, on Facebook. Expat groups and communities are full of ‘Italy property rental’ posts – and you can have some meaningful conversations with your compatriots. When looking for a property to rent, experience is the best advisor, and people are willing to share theirs online. The information you come across might as well change your life dramatically.
Whether you’re looking to rent a flat or a villa, remember the importance of the ‘human element’ and the power of networking and word of mouth. It may as well be that your longer-than-expected search for a flat ends suddenly and perfectly just because you’ve brought a ‘presentably looking friend’ to the viewing. It might seem silly, but sometimes a simple thing like that can be a game changer in your negotiations with the landlord.
Another point that can be crucial in your search for a place in Italy is a local friend. It is important for several reasons. First, your Italian buddy could help you out with document translations and your communication with the landlord. Second, if the latter sees you have managed to befriend an Italian, it cements their trust in you.
The two last points clearly prove that charm and affability may be the decisive factors in the challenging task of finding a place to rent. It’s worth keeping in mind that it is a good idea to follow word-of-mouth recommendations when searching for a property in Italy. There are plenty of stories of people who have found a nice place to live when chatting with a bartender in a random bar. Your openness may actually be the key to renting the place of your dreams.
Language barrier
If your plans for Italy are long-term, we strongly recommend learning the Italian language. This is how you both show your appreciation of the culture and make your life after relocation much easier since few of the locals speak English.
If you are unable to communicate in Italian, renting a property in Italy might turn into a two-fold issue. First, it may complicate your communication with the landlord, making them more suspicious of you. Second, the absence of the necessary language skills makes you vulnerable to unjustified rent hikes and other tricks that an unprincipled property owner may come up with.
Rental agreement
Before signing a rental agreement, make sure you read the fine print. The property owner must register a signed contract with the local authorities and pay taxes.
It may sometimes be challenging to rent a property officially, especially in the southern regions. The tax is as high as 40% of the amount, and many local landlords prefer renting their properties by the back door. The prospect of saving money on agent fees and deposits might be tempting, but we urge you to think through the possible negative consequences. For example, if there is no agreement, the landlord can throw you out or increase the rent on a whim.
How high is the rent in Italy?
Italy is a country of extremes, and rental prices vary depending on the region and property type. In towns and villages, you can rent a flat from €300 a month on. At the same time, if you’re looking to rent a villa in Italy, the prices may start at €1,000 and go as high as €10,000-15,000 a month.
If you’re renting directly from the owner, you might try and get a bargain (your local friends may be of help here). Sometimes you can come away with a discount on rent and/or a deposit reduced from a three- to one-month rent amount.
Types of properties in Italy
Keep in mind that a property can be left 1) unfurnished, 2) partially furnished, or 3) fully furnished. We recommend you read the ads closely and take the accompanying photos with a pinch of salt.
Furthermore, each agent has their own way of counting the rooms. For instance, some may include the kitchen as one. Therefore, it might be a good idea to have a look at the floor plan before the viewing.
Another important point is for the property to have an energy performance certificate (Attestato di prestazione energetica, APE) and a certificate of electrical compliance (impianto elettrico a norma). Older properties might not conform to these standards.
Basic list of documents necessary to rent property in Italy
· Passport
· Residence permit and work permit
· Social insurance number
· Proof of income
We’ve reviewed the most important points one should remember when renting a place in Italy. Finding a property may take more than a month, so let’s sum up the points to pay attention to.
First, search both online and offline. Second, start learning Italian. Third, make sure you have read the rental agreement thoroughly. And finally, don’t forget to smile and use your charm and geniality. Good luck!
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