Italy: How to Be A ‘Grade A’ Tenant

Dilapidations are the last thing you want in Italy! The judicial system moves at a glacial pace, and it is normal for lawsuits to be settled after many, many years. Given that this is the case, it is wise to learn what your responsibilities are as a tenant in Italy. This includes but is not limited to the following: if you follow this list carefully, you will ensure that your checkout will be a lot less difficult and getting your deposit back will be much easier in most cases.

• From the date of the official check-in, the tenant should agree with the landlord for an agreed amount of time to make him or her aware of any non-functioning items and/or damage to the property. After this time, the tenant will be responsible for any repairs or damage that needs to be paid for, according to Italian law regarding the tenant.
• The tenant is responsible for the yearly checkup of the boiler; this needs to be carried out by a certified professional and documented in the boiler logbook. The logbook must be returned to the landlord at the end of the tenancy, with the mandatory checkups duly recorded. Keep any related invoices as proof that the servicing has been carried out.
• In addition to this, the tenant is responsible for the yearly checkup of the A/C units, which needs to be carried out by a certified professional and documented in the A/C logbook. The logbook must be returned to the landlord at the end of the tenancy, with the mandatory checkups duly recorded. Keep any related invoices as proof that the servicing has been carried out.
• Any instruction booklets, remote controls, etc. that are given to the tenant at check-in must be returned at checkout. Any missing items will be billed to the tenant.
• All official certifications regarding the water and heating systems, etc., must also be returned to the landlord. The cost of replacing any missing certifications will be billed to the tenant.
• The tenant must maintain all appliances and keep the landlord informed, in writing, of any issues or work required. Failure to do this will be considered negligence.
• If the tenant does not use the oven on a regular basis, then it should be turned on at least once every two weeks, otherwise, moisture collects on the elements, and it will spoil over time. The tenant will be responsible for any repairs needed.
• Replace the cooker hood filters as and when they become dirty.
• Clean up spillages immediately to avoid staining and, if necessary, get the item or area cleaned or polished to remove the stain. Such damage will not be considered normal wear and tear.
• Ensure the garden and plants are well maintained (by the landlord if under his or her care or by the tenant if under their responsibility).
• If there are any unused toilets, they should be flushed on a regular basis to prevent possible staining of the toilet bowl and/or unpleasant odors being emitted from the water. Any repairs needed will be billed to the tenant.
• Replace any worn-out light bulbs.
• Replace dead batteries in remote controls.
• Leave the door of the washing machine open after each use in order to allow the inside to dry; this will prevent mold from forming.
• Only clean marble/parquet floors with the specific products for these surfaces to avoid damage.

Maximize your chances of getting your deposit back in Italy: Click here to explore essential tips in my article ‘How to Successfully Get Your Deposit Back in Italy’.

If you require any case-specific assistance, please feel free to contact me www.damienofarrell.com

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for Italian immigration news, real estate insights, and valuable relocation tips. Just click this link for the latest information from Italy.

Grab your copy of my eBook’ 10 Must-Knows For Moving To Italy’ today and open the doors to a new chapter of your life in the heart of this captivating country. To get your copy, please follow this link for the PDF version or this link for the Kindle version.

If you would like to receive high-quality information related to immigration, real estate, and many other aspects of relocating to Italy, please feel free to subscribe to my newsletter, ‘Ultimate Italy’. Just click here to sign up, and you will receive my cheat sheet, ‘Italian Immigration Overview for EU & Non-EU Citizens’, absolutely free!