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These FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) come from StudMIHome research activities and the following two documents:
Here you can also find the drafts of three types of housing contracts:
You can use many platforms, and social media could be helpful (beware of scams). There are also many rental agencies throughout the city. Our research, however, shows that an often-successful strategy to find accommodation is to rely on word of mouth by peers. We suggest getting in touch as soon as possible with fellow students and spreading the word that you are looking for accommodation.
If you may be interested in social projects that offer housing solutions, our partners have some interesting projects.
It’s important to be careful if you are asked for money beforehand (e.g., to see the house) because they often are scams.
There are many groups and dedicated channels on social media. Our research shows that an outstanding majority (around 80% of the sample) of students share their house with other people, or even their room. Students often move before the end of their contracts. Replacing someone in an existing cohabitation could be a way to cut the expenses for agencies. Usually, you will be required to transfer the amount of the deposit to the former tenant. Usually, you can succeed a former tenant, but this possibility should be stated in the original contract. If you can do it, the contract is updated on the former conditions and should be registered once again at the Agenzia delle Entrate.
There are two kinds of agencies: “traditional” ones and property management ones. Both offer help in looking for a house, they show you around, can negotiate the rental agreement and help you understand what kind of contract you have been offered, and in some cases (it’s rare) can also offer legal advice. The main difference is that property management agencies are also in charge of your stay in the apartment, e.g. doing repairments if needed, and being addressed if you want to leave before the end of the contract.
They may vary, they often ask for one month’s rent worth for their mediation service. However, the amount can be different, based on the type of agency and the services provided. Don’t be afraid to ask them, even before seeing the house. It’s a piece of important information before taking any decision.
Check the overall condition of the house, including electric circuits, plumbing systems, thermic insulation, that windows don’t let drafts seep in, if the heating is centralized (depending on the condominium choices) or independent (you set your heating level and pay bills for that), the quality of the entrance door and of the furniture. It is also useful to go around the neighbourhood to check if essential services are close (pharmacy, supermarket, metro station…).
The tenant should provide their ID (or comparable documents if foreign: passport, codice fiscale, permesso di soggiorno) and financial proof of your ability to sustain the housing expenses (parents salary, bank savings). Please note that often foreigners may find it more difficult to have financial warranties accepted (if they are generated in countries that are not Italy), as it is based on the landlord’s discretion.
The landlord should give you the APE (Attestazione di Prestazione Energetica, a document that states how energy-efficient the apartment is, which directly impacts your future bills). Please remember that you should see and sign a contract before paying any amount of money (deposit, first rent). Landlords are required to register the contract by the Agenzia delle Entrate and should be able to provide you with a signed and validated copy of the contract.
In Italy, market price rental agreements are on a 4 + 4 years basis. There are also shorter contracts (3 + 2 years; 12-18 months). These two should be at a reduced price, based on a local-level negotiation between tenants’ unions and landlords’ associations. To be valid, these contracts should be stamped by a tenants’ union. These type of contracts are called ‘canone concordato’.
Unfortunately, there are cases of landlords proposing a 12-month or 18-month contract that doesn’t consider the reduced fees. This contract may be disputed, and eventually transformed into a proper reduced-price contract. You can ask a tenants’ union to check it and see if everything is correct or write to Studmihome Desk Service.
The deposit has the function of sheltering the landlord from any property risk damage. Its amount varies from case to case, and the landlord will return it you at the end of the lease. To avoid problems, the deposit fee must be clearly stated in the contract, and you should keep the receipt of the payment. In the same vein, when you are leaving you can ask for the deposit to be wired back to you, and the landlord signs a document stating that there is no reason to hold it. More info here.
To be legally binding, contracts must be registered at Agenzia delle Entrate. Usually, the expenses are split 50-50 between the landlord and you. Its cost may vary, depending on the type of contract and its length. Always pay attention: you have to receive the signed contract and receipt of its registration.
Yes, you always can. Usually in the contract, there is a due time notice of some months. It usually is three to six months, but it can also be shorter if so agreed before signing the contract and written in it. If you need a shorter notice time, you can ask the landlord when drafting the contract. You should send a ‘raccomandata con ricevuta di ritorno’ to your landlord informing him/her that you are going away before the contract expires.
Yes, at once. Be careful that the new contract is duly registered by Agenzia delle Entrate. If the contract isn’t registered, or you don’t inform the DSU office, you may risk losing your scholarship or part of its amount.
Ordinary condominium expenses (e.g., expenses for the concierge, cleaning common areas of the palace, the electricity bill for lights in corridors/stairs and the lift) are usually charged to the tenant, while extraordinary expenses are charged to the landlord (e.g., repairing the roof). It is important to ask how much these expenses are yearly, and if the heating is centralized or not, because it is not included in these fees. Usually also water bills are included in the condominium’s ordinary expenses. The TARI (waste tax) is on the tenant. All these expenses could be part of an all-inclusive formula, always ask what is already included in the rent. In this case, pay attention that the condominium expenses should be duly justified by the landlord: it is your right to ask for the receipts, to see if you are being over-charged.
You can inform the condominium manager and the landlord. See the condominium rules, there may be some prohibited behaviours (aside from the obvious, as being extremely noisy at night).
You are liable for eviction. It’s important to notify as soon as possible your landlord, to find a solution with them (as postponed payments).
If the damage is not your fault, tell promptly the landlord. See if she /him can solve the problem. Often for these damages, you are not required to pay yourself. If you are not persuaded by their response and/or this becomes a conflictual issue, consider involving a tenants’ union or with the Studmihome Housing Orientation desk.
The landlord should take care of all structural repairments and those concerning the electric circuit and plumbing system. Usually, also the substitution of old appliances is charged to the landlord. Ordinary repairments and maintenance are on you. This may involve also, e.g. maintenance of the boiler. However, the distribution of these expenses may vary, and you should carefully read the contract.
Personalization of the room is allowed (e.g., painting walls, even in a different colour from the original one, hanging things up with nails). However, when your contract ends, you should bring everything back as it was, unless you agree otherwise with the landlord. It’s important to check what the contract says about it.
Yes. If they tell you otherwise, get in touch with a tenants’ union or with the Studmihome Housing Orientation desk.
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