Cancellation Policy for Rental Contracts in Italy

If you’re an international student renting accommodation in Italy, it’s important to understand the rules and regulations surrounding rental contracts. All registered rental contracts in Italy exceeding 30 consecutive days are legally binding and must adhere to specific cancellation policies outlined by Italian law. Here’s everything you need to know about the process:

Legal Requirements for Rental Contracts

In Italy, rental contracts exceeding 30 days must be legally registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate (Revenue Office) and the local Questura (Police Headquarters) where the domicile address is located. This registration process is designed to protect both landlords and tenants by ensuring:

  • All rental contracts follow a standardised template in conformity with domestic rental laws.

  • Rent prices remain fixed as agreed upon in the contract.

  • Tenancies cannot be prematurely or retrospectively terminated without due process.

Standard Cancellation Policy

Under Italian law (Art. 431 of 9 December 1998), rental contracts exceeding 30 days require a minimum six-month written cancellation notice to terminate the agreement for any serious reasons. This notice must be:

  1. Submitted in writing to the other party (landlord or tenant).

  2. Filed with local authorities within 30 days of the initial notice via registered mail (raccomandata con ricevuta di ritorno) to ensure the legal termination of the tenancy.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in penalties or the continuation of the rental obligation until the notice is properly processed. It should be expressly understood that rental contracts with a duration of less than six-months have no statutory right to early cancellation. Tenants and landlords otherwise remain liable for rental compensation of any rental amounts falling within the respective notice period.

Pre-Contract Cancellation Policy

For contracts that have not yet started, we are able to provide greater flexibility. Before the official start date of the tenancy:

  • Tenants may cancel their contract with a flexible 60-day notice period for any serious reasons.

  • In such cases, we offer a full refund of any Security Deposit amounts and a 50% refund of any prepaid Service Plan amounts.

Please note that Service Plan amounts become non-refundable once the tenancy begins. Tenants and landlords otherwise remain liable for rental compensation of any rental amounts falling within the respective notice period.

Why Are These Policies Important?

Italian tenancy regulations are structured to provide security and stability for both tenants and landlords. By registering all long-term contracts with the state, both parties are protected against:

  • Arbitrary price increases.

  • Premature termination of the contract.

This system ensures fairness and predictability for everyone involved.

How to Cancel Your Rental DURING A TENANCY

If you wish to cancel your rental contract during an active tenancy period, follow these steps:

  1. Notify your landlord or tenant in writing, respecting the six-month notice period.

  2. Submit a copy of the cancellation notice to the relevant local authorities via registered mail within 30 days.

  3. Ensure confirmation of contract termination from the state authority before assuming the contract is void.

How to Cancel Your Rental Contract BEFORE A TENANCY

If you wish to cancel your rental contract before the official start-date, follow these steps:

  1. Notify your landlord in writing at least two months before the start date of the tenancy.

  2. If applicable, request a 50% refund of any prepaid Service Plan amounts.

  3. Confirm that your cancellation request has been acknowledged and documented by the landlord.

    Please remember that service plan amounts become non-refundable from the tenancy start date, so it’s important to act promptly if you wish to cancel your contract in advance.

Need Help?

Our Student Support Centre is here to help you navigate Italian rental regulations. Contact us for assistance with your rental contract, including cancellation processes, registration requirements, and more.