Living in Italy - Accommodation

General information

When buying a house, a mortgage loan for purchasing a property for a maximum 75% of the total purchase price may be obtained from banks or loan institutions, and is repayable over 15 or 20 years. You must consult a notary public to verify the terms and conditions of sale, and to stipulate the purchase agreement . 

Rental agreements, on the other hand, are drawn up between the landlord and tenant in written form. The rental agreement must indicate the duration, the monthly rent, the obligation to give notice if withdrawing from the agreement and obligatory payments for routine maintenance and repairs to the property. The agreement must be signed by the tenant and landlord and registered by the house owner at the Ufficio del Registro [Registry Office] within 20 days of signing the agreement. The registration tax is 2% of the annual rent. The registration must be renewed each year. A cautionary deposit payable to the owner is generally required. This amounts to two or three monthly rents and is returned at the end of the agreement. Unless the contract is registered, legal tax breaks and allowances cannot be claimed by the landlord or tenant. For information on types of rental agreements, contact SUNIA (Sindacato Unitario Nazionale Inquilini e Assegnatari [National Union of Tenants and Licensees]), present in all Italian regions.

Text last edited on: 02/2007

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2006
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