The Cost of Accommodation in Italy
In recent years, the cost of renting property in Italy has increased. Recently in fact, the previous rental control laws have been abolished. Regulation of rental costs has been passed to the local authorities and to the landlords themselves (the rent must be stated at the bottom of any rental contract between landlord and tenant). Those who choose to regulate their rent based on the decisions of the local authorities by drawing up a 'regulated contract' ('contratto calmierato' in Italian) are eligible for big tax discounts. If instead your landlord opts for a 'free contract', there are no tax discounts available but you may be able to negotiate the rental costs.
Usually, the rent will depend on the location of the property: the big cities and towns that are nearby, and the proximity of the home to local amenities. Properties in central Italy are typically the most expensive, followed by accommodation in the North and then in the South.
The average cost of renting a property in Italy is currently around €440, with average prices of €580 in central Italy, €454 in the North-West, €426 in the North-East and €376 in the South. Urban areas tend to be more expensive than rural areas, and city-centres more expensive than suburbs.
The following articles give more details of rental costs in the main Italian cities:
