I'm hoping to visit Italy for an

07/16/2015 - 11:58

I'm hoping to visit Italy for an extended period, 3 months to a year and hope to find a (1) furnished apartment with (2) utilties such as gas, electric, etc. included in the rental price. What phrases should I look/search for? What would be ideal is to have an agent on the ground who could check up on and acquire the apartment prior to my arrival. Is this common? Would a normal real estate agency be the place to look? How much should I pay for such a service? I think my intention is clear, to not have to screw around with housing while I pursue my interests. (Is this what "contratto transitorio" means?) Is there a better approach? A residential hotel or penzione? They don't seem to exist any more but perhaps I'm not looking properly.In re this post, there does not seem to be a "topic" for renting or anything like it. Feel free to move this to a more appropriate location.

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Legal

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HiTry The Italian house management Co. We're an English speaking company specialising in the rental industry in Italy. Find us on Facebook. Eric

I searched Facebook for your page. Can you provide more detail, so I can find you! Thanks.

Hi CararecineSorry you couldnt find us, here are the links...https://www.facebook.com/Italianhousemanagementcompanyhttp://ermilabe.wix.com/italian-houseAs you will see from the web site we offer a very unique and complete range of services From sourcing the right property for a clients reqirements project managment restoration/alteration work. We have a number of long term rentals available suitable for clients to use whilst taking the time to view and find the house of their dreams. We have a quite unique service where we can list propertys for owners as holiday rentals filling availability calendars to give an income to the property. The list of our services is almost endless.Eric

http://ermilabe.wix.com/italian-househttps://www.facebook.com/Italianhousemanagementcompany

Thanks! The move is planned for late summer 2016. I will definintely check out your information.

If you are an American, you will need to get a long stay visa for anything longer than 90 days in a Schengen country. You will also need to secure a permesso. As part of both, you will need to have a copy of a rental contract or proof of a permanant address (such as a home purchsed). There are plenty of rental agencies but you need to find an area first that you are interested in to better provide you with information.

Thanks for all the above, particularly the phrases. I'm lookng in Venice at the moment and have been using "immobiliare dot it". Quite a few rental listings there, even on the core islands, seem quite affordable. (Suspiciously so?) I was aware of the length of stay and visa requirements, also the "chicken and egg" problem with the rental such that I have to have a rental contract for an apartment before I know if I will be permitted to stay in it. I was hoping to avoid flying to Italy to secure a rental, flying back to secure a permesso, and then returning to Italy. Is it possible to secure the permesso in Italy? Does the permesso have to be renewed annually or is there such a thing as a "permanent permesso"?

You have to secure the visa first and this has to be done in the US. There is a lot of "Chicken & egg" issues with this however, as you must have proof of a return ticket from Italy to show that you will not over extend your stay beyone the time granted by the Visa...as well as the rental contract, proof of a certain level of health insurance (letter from your health ins. company), proof of financial means to support yourself - cannot be work over in italy (that would be a work visa), and cannot be retirement income. It has to be savings in the bank. You also have to have proof of no criminal record. The permesso is secured over in Italy and must be done within 8 days of arrival. You will need all of the same paperwork and then some. I woud STRONGLY recommend that you visit Italy first to secure your rental instead of doing this blindly. It also sounds like you are not fluent in Italian...this can cause a lot of problems. It really is best to go over for a few visits for at least 2-4 weeks at a time to truly get an understanding of what you are getting yourself into and the areas you are thinking of living in. It is one thing to come to italy on vacation and essentially really have no worries vs. moving here and taking on a rental. Also, if you are on one of the smaller Venetian island and not Venice proper, you might find it somewhat isolating. They are all very small and only served by boat (one way or another). Really investigate such a big move first and don't just jump into this without knowing all the "ins" and "outs" first. I am not trying to put a damper on your plans, but I think too many people romanticize a move to Italy without thinking it out. Many of my American and British friends have moved back to the UK or States after a few years, realizing it was not quite the movie dream they had imagined.

Lots of good information, but I wonder if you can tell me how this differs if you are an Italian citizen moving from the U.S. to Italy. Thanks.

Thank you for the considered replies, particularly that of Catlama inserting doses of reality into this. As to me I have made extended stays as a vacationer in Italy before; three months one time and several trips of two weeks. I am aware of the visa requirements, hence three months or a year, the difference being the permesso. You're right about not speaking Italian. A "one per week" class hasn't done it for me. I thought an extended stay in Italy, say three months or a year, would help me to learn. I am confused about the "what you are getting yourself into" thing re renting. Unless this is somehow wildly different than the U.S. you sign a contract, pay your rent, and turn on the utlities. The latter seems like a pain for a non-Italian speaker hence the hope of finding "utenze incluse". Am I missing something? The flying back and forth (around 1500 USD a pop) is daunting as is signing a rental contract for something I may not be permitted to live in; I tend to take these things seriously. However as this happens every day it must be do-able.

A good learn to speak Italian phone app is "duolingo" try it you'll be chatting away in no time.Renting is easy have a look at this. https://www.facebook.com/Italianhousemanagementcompany/photos/pcb.350937825099610/350936155099777/?type=1&theaterEric

Re: comment of "What you are getting yourself into". Do you have any family or friends in Italy (and in the immediate area) that can help you? While I live in a different area (mountains in Tuscany) and for different reasons, know that things happen and it can be difficult to manage in a country where the rules & regulations are different, the healthcare system is different, customs are different, daily life is different, and without a firm grasp on the language, muddling through these can be harsh. Regardless of whether your utiliities are all included, and you have a landlord....you will find occassions of things that happen (outside of just the rental situation), where it is easy to manage through in the US, as you know the system and know the language and know the routine...but now you are out of your comfort zone. Obviously if you are in Venice, you won't have a car - which can be a mixed blessing. Again, not trying to dampen your plans...but know the reality. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Hi,I am in a similar situation. I am travelling to Italy with my girlfriend at the beginning of September with the aim to search for a property to buy. While I search I need some simple accommodation for as long as it will take. Initially I'm planning on 3 months to get a feel for the area and to plan the next steps. I'm looking for a rural property to rent, and a small apartment would be ideal to keep the costs down and save as much as possible for buying. I'll have a car, so getting around isn't a problem. I would be needing to rent a property than includes services and WiFi, so I would consider a holiday rental property if I can get a deal for 3 months during their quieter period. In return I wouldn't be expecting cleaning or linen etc as we're perfectly capable of managing that ourselves. Our preferred location to start with is the area around Volterra in Tuscany.If there are any agents (or anyone else with suitable property) that feels they can help, I would be pleased to hear from you. I sent a message to The Italian House Management Company on Sunday, so if you think you can help, please respond to that (or this) message.Thank you.