Accommodation in Rome

Accommodation in Rome is subject to a notoriously tight real estate market. Expats will find that housing in the city centre is expensive, and that options located even small distances outside come complete with commutes that hardly make the lower cost seem a decent compromise.

Historically, Italians have favoured tight living spaces and Rome is certainly no exception. Whether the affinity for close quarters come from a culture that views proximity as an indication of camaraderie, or whether its leftover from the time when citizens huddled into towns and fortresses for safety; it remains that the size of the average accommodation in Rome is relatively small.

Like so many brilliant modern day conveniences, the apartment block itself may have been an invention of classical Rome; thus expats will find most available housing in this form or in larger villas.

As a quaint and convenient quirk to the standard apartment block, many buildings reserve the ground floor and basement for commercial use - meaning bakers, butchers, gelaterias (gelato ice-cream parlours) and greengrocers.

It follows that the higher up in the apartment block you move, the more rent increases; not to mention, pollution is less and the lighting is better.

Finding accommodation in Rome

No two accommodation options in Rome are the same, and expats will certainly want to spend their fair share of time selecting the perfect spot to settle. Most of the housing is in historic buildings, which can often make for a very charming migraine - maintenance may be needed often and the tenant is responsible for anything outside the walls of the rented property.

Accommodation in Rome comes either furnished or unfurnished; though unfurnished comes dangerously scant, often with no appliances at all.

Look in local papers for ads or peruse listings online at either:

• Wantedinrome.com
• Craigslist.com

As an alternative, expats may want to use the help of a relocation agency or a real estate agent. The fee for assistance is normally one month's rent plus a certain percentage of country tax.

Expats can expect the following prices for accommodation in Rome's city centre:

• Furnished one bedroom: €1,200 to €1,600
• Furnished two bedroom with balcony: €1,800 to €2,400
• Unfurnished three bedroom with balcony and great views: €5,000 to €6,000

Securing accommodation in Rome

The housing market in Rome tends to favour the landlord, thus there is little room for negotiation - even if prices seem sky-high.

Expats can expect to pay roughly two to three months of rent as a security deposit, and some homeowners even expect tenants to give bank references so they can collect even if an individual skips out on rent.

Both the landlord and the tenant should inspect the property and draw up an inventory that all parties agree on. Finally, a proposal (proposta) can be drafted and signed together with a holding deposit and submitted to the landlord for acceptance.