Deciding to rent a property in Italy can be a rewarding and money saving experience, Italy is a beautiful and cultured country and it is easy to see why so many people want to stay there. However for anyone deciding to buy or rent in Italy it is important they research the system they are going to be buying into. Here in this article we look at some advice regards renting houses or apartments. Italy has a different system to the UK so to understand it is important for anyone considering renting in this beautiful part of Europe.

Property in Italy is rented in three ways; empty, known as vuoti, which means there is no furniture, light fittings or even a fitted kitchen. Semi-furnished, known as parzialmente arredati which will contain light fittings a kitchen and possibly wardrobes or completely furnished which is known as arredati.

Rental costs in Italy is dictated entirely by the location, until recently Italy had a fair rent law that limited rents to be set by local authorities rather than at the market levels. But this resulted in a big shortage of rental properties in some areas so now owners are able to set their prices at the market levels; this has encouraged many people to rent their houses and apartments. Italy allows for rent prices to be negotiated and if rented through an agent then they may be able to suggest to owners reasonable prices for their property.

If a property is rented through an agent then the tenant must pay the agency a fee, which is usually around ten percent of the year's rent, or one month rent. The landlord can ask for a deposit that equals to about three months of rent, and the deposit must be returned with interest within two months of the termination of the lease.

In addition to paying rent in Italy, tenants in apartments are required to have compulsory insurance and pay all service charges. Service charges include heating, hot water, rubbish removal, upkeep of gardens, and use of lift, communal lighting and any caretaker services. Tenants then have to pay their other utilities such as gas, electricity and water. Make sure to check whether rent is inclusive or exclusive of charges which is usually found in the advertisements of the apartments. Italy prices vary from 20 Euros to 200 per month.

Finally, when signing a lease for an Italian property ensure that all the bills from the previous tenants are paid as new tenants will be liable to pay. Choosing to rent can be a great experience and the step you take before choosing to own either a house or apartments. Italy has a huge amount to offer to those that choose to live in this stunning part of the world.

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the property market.
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