Unfortunately every semester, we meet students who have arrived to Milan without legal accommodation after sending money to someone they found on Social Media...

Follow these easy steps and avoid a potential nightmare!

First, the obvious; The average room rental rate in Milan EXCLUDING utilities is €594.13 and the average rent of a 1-bedroom apartment is €1,133.00 according to the EU Housing Index published in 2020. These rates are calculated with standard annual contracts (4+4years) and do NOT include utility expenses - stays under 12 months are considered Short Term rentals for which you can anticipate higher rates than the Long Term rates referenced.

A Private Room, downtown, for less than 12 months, can rarely be found for less than €700.00p/m (without consumables - Italy has some of the highest utility costs in the EU!)

Remember; If something is too good to be true - it probably is.

renting in italy

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The basics of renting in Italy

Firstly, unlike many countries, there is no such thing as a private tenancy agreement between a tenant and landlord in Italy. Any and all tenancies in Italy exceeding 30 consecutive days are registered & regulated through the local municipality with fixed term contracts. What makes renting for exchange students particularly challenging is the standard rental contract available - otherwise referred to as the ‘4+4’. This form of contract is valid for 4-years and constitutes the vast majority of rentals on the market. This is great for full time residents benefitting from 4-years of fixed rental rates but for exchange students, it leaves you with a lot less to choose from than you may have originally thought, especially if you are in Milan for less than a year (considered short term / transitory). For these reasons, most will look to specific student housing or co-living options that specialise in Short Term stays and can facilitate a specific contract, referred to as a ‘Contratto Transitorio’ or otherwise, a sponsored cohabitation.

TOP TIPS FOR BOOKING ACCOMMODATION FROM ABROAD

Many students will rightly secure their accommodation before they arrive to Milan. Furthermore, its best to secure your accommodation several months before the semester when the rental market is less busy. Finding accommodation, particularly in January and September can be extremely difficult and expensive, as the market demand reaches it peak.

If you are booking from abroad follow these simple tips:

  • Understand the difference between; a Marketplace, an Agency and a Landlord. This is especially important if you are using online portals like UniPlaces or even Facebook Marketplace. You may pay an online platform a commission but they are NOT your landlord NOR do they mediate the tenancy for you in Milan as a traditional high street agency would. If you have a problem with your landlord or property when you land - its generally between you and the landlord.

  • If you can't visit the property and/or owner in-person, avoid private landlords online! Yes. really.

  • Use your university housing list! Most university campus accommodation is reserved for Italian Freshers however most of the main universities also provide a list of accredited rental agencies in the city.

  • You can also find a rental agency yourself online however ensure that they are a company duly incorporated in Italy by confirming their registered company address & VAT number.

  • If you don't want to pay the typical 12% annual commission to a rental agent, you can also look at private student residence companies offering co-living properties exclusively to students such as our own in-house residences at The Nest Milan

  • AirBnB! Another great option particularly for short term stays. Air BnB is a secure platform with a guest guarantee meaning that any money you send is protected. In Italy, AirBnB stays without a rental contract are legally capped at 30-days.

  • Hostels are another popular first-stop for students in Milan. Most have a maximum 14-day occupancy however for those arriving off-peak, who are more confident (and speak some Italian) - they provide a safe place to stay when you land, affording you 2-weeks to find a more permanent spot.

 TOP TIPS FOR BOOKING ACCOMMODATION FROM MILAN

If you are already living in the city, things are a bit easier;

  • Visit high street agencies around your university! Milan is full of rental agencies - have a walk around your campus!

  • Don't like commissions? Visit private student residences like our own!

  • Contact AND visit private landlords during the day. If you are looking in the private market, this is the only way to do it safely. Also bring a friend along whenever visiting a private landlord and make sure that they are the legal owner (most forms of sublease in Italy are illegal)!

  • Check the notice boards in the university libraries! Some universities such as Bocconi have removed their pin boards but some campuses still have room swap offers advertised from outgoing students! Again its super important to visit the place BEFORE sending any money where you are not going through a company or registered agent.

 LAST BUT NOT LEAST... SECURITY DEPOSITS

Wherever you rent, you will almost certainly need to pay a refundable security deposit in advance, which is why the tips above are important!

The standard security deposit request in Italy is equivalent to 3-months rent. This can sometimes be negotiated down to 2-months but this is more unlikely for internationals, especially students, who are often considered at higher risk of default and/or damages...

Before you send any security deposit, you should; receive, review and sign a formal Rental agreement or a Preliminary Contract. It is illegal to rent (or to provide a rental) in Italy for more than 30-days without a formal rental agreement.

Still need help?

If you would like your bureaucracy to be handled professionally & competently by a member of our Support Team,

Book your one-on-one appointment with a specialist at The Support Centre!