How to Rent an Apartment in Rome

How to Rent an Apartment in Rome

You have headed on a journey to visit the Eternal City.   No matter whether you need to visit Rome for work, study or just to indulge in the sounds and images of one of the world’s most unforgettable hot spots,  the first thing you should do is embark on an apartment-search mission.

Once you decide to start the search,  you should explore all possible options for rentals (or sales). There are various websites that provide credible rental solutions for newcomers. Everyone has different accommodation preferences in regard to a property’s size, furniture and location, so my advice is to find a website that can effectively filter your specific requests.

1.   Online Search Tools Such as Porta Portese

Porta Portese is an online platform that features sales and rentals and other services, and those who look to purchase a house or find a rental in the Eternal City can easily identify a property that fits their needs. Porta Portese has a large assortment of services, and its offerings will satisfy the multi-faceted needs of the global Rome visitor base.

https://www.portaportese.it/

2 .   A  Standard Real Estate Agency

Beautiful Rome, Picture by New York Times

My experience in Rome so far has shown me that most of the trusted real estate agencies can be found in the trendy Trastevere district. Through them, you can easily conduct a personalized search based on your desired budget range and  preferred location.

Some of the larger and more credible real estate companies in Rome include Technocasa and Immobiliare. These agencies provide mostly unfurnished options, without roommate solutions or furnished accommodations.

Be aware that a few agencies will charge a service fee for finding you the right ”home away from home.”  But if you would like personalized service, a real estate agency is the right solution.

3.    Apartment Search Websites

Image By Nestpick

Finding an apartment in Rome does not have to be expensive. In fact, identifying what you look for can be done easily, from the comfort of your own home.

An example of a free service that you can adopt for your apartment search is Nestpick, which is a website that collects the best apartment options, based on your particular filter. You can filter your choices based on location, price, square footage, and desired amenities, and you can find a lot of practical information, regarding each property, including visitors‘ pictures from the past.

Nestpick also allows you to search for individual rooms, apartments, or entire flats, all filtered based on your desired move-in date.

https://www.nestpick.com/

4.  Individual Brokers

An efficient real estate broker can also assist you in your apartment search.

The good news is most of the service is free – brokers charge the apartment owners, not the apartment seekers.  However, be aware that most of these brokers will charge a higher fee than a regular agency or a regular website. Regular websites frequently come as free.

5.  Avoid Craigslist

Craigslist is a free option, with minimal supervision of who posts what and how credible the source is. So in order to minimize the risk of scams – avoid Craigslist!

6.  Use Spotahome

Image by Rome Real Estate Immobiliare

Spotahome tip is one of the ”go-to” spots for new apartment seekers in the Eternal City.  The website provides expansive search options and in case you have questions, make sure you resort to an Italian translator.

https://www.spotahome.com/

7.  Resort to Zappyrent.com

This website is easy and convenient to use. First, it’s free which means that you don’t have to pay commissions to anyone, and second you can rent directly from multiple landlords throughout the city.

You can filter by budget, type of property, and time period for which you need the apartment. You can also choose between a private room, entire apartment or a shared option.

There is a useful map for you on the site to identify and choose the right apartment for your needs.

https://www.zappyrent.com/

8. Check out Immobiliare.it

Immobiliare.it is the most popular home search portal for Rome-based accommodations and apartments throughout Italy. You can find abundance of real estate offers and ads that will certainly fit your budget and style.

You can easily filter your desired offerings and find an apartment to buy, rent or just spend a few vacation days in.

immobiliare.it

Useful Tips for Renting an Apartment in Rome:

Make sure the landlord is credible. Check reviews. Also, read the contracts and the fine prints. If you don’t understand Italian,  feel free to reach out to a translator.

Contracts are typically for one or two years, but you can negotiate with your landlord all specifics.

Be aware that a landlord may charge a three-month deposit if the apartment if furnished. Ask questions and negotiate! Italians are passionate negotiators but they will make sure both parties are happy.

Renting an apartment in Rome shouldn’t be hard. There are so many tourists and newcomers that the city is welcoming for everyone who has put their feet in the Eternal City. From real estate agencies to local real estate brokers, and from multiple websites that help you filter your desired search, Rome has so much to offer for all those who have decided to call Rome their temporary or long-term home.

There are also a few newspapers and magazines that may feature ads for popular real estate agencies in the city so make sure you explore all your options before making the final choice for your Eternal City-based accommodation.