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RENTING

Five of the most affordable areas to rent in Rome

Renting in Rome has become increasingly expensive over the years, but there are some areas of the city which are more affordable to live in than others.

Published: 26 July 2024 09:05 CEST
A view of Rome on April 22nd, 2024.
Rome is getting more and more expensive to rent in. Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP.

The average rental price in Rome will set you back almost €17 per square metre, according to the latest data published by online housing portal Immobiliare.it.

That means that a 50-square-metre apartment would cost around €850 a month on average.

Costs are at an all-time high for Rome, with rental prices per square metre being almost €2 higher than at this time last year.

Experts such as those from estate agency Solo Affitti highlighted in their latest report that the rise of short-term rentals and Rome’s upcoming Jubilee were to blame for the hike in prices.

Silvia Spronelli, CEO of Solo Affitti, said on LinkedIn: “We are facing a new scenario in Rome’s real estate sector. 

“The wait for the Jubilee promises to be a catalyst for the increase in rents in the capital, a phenomenon that is not isolated but which follows a trend already evident in other large Italian metropolises.”

READ ALSO: How can I find an apartment to rent in Rome?

At more than €20 per square metre (that’s around €1,000 for a 50-square-metre flat), the historic centre, along with popular haunts Trastevere, Testaccio, San Giovanni, Re di Roma, Parioli, Flaminio, Aventino, Prati, and Salario are off limits to many.

However, there are still a few places in some of the outer parts of Rome where you can get more bang for your buck.

As the available data does not provide an average monthly rental price, we have calculated a monthly average for a 50-square-metre apartment to give a more tangible idea of the prices you can expect.

Appio Claudio and Capannelle 

The Appio Claudio and Capannelle zone is perfect for those looking to get away from the chaos of the city. Besides the price, other benefits include being close to Rome’s biggest park (Parco degli Acquedotti) and ring road (Grande Raccordo Anulare) should you want to escape the city and explore the wider Lazio region over the weekend. 

Appio Claudio is also near metro stations Subaugusta and Lucio Sestio. Capanelle is a bit further away from the metro stops, but it is served by a rail line transporting residents to Rome’s central station, Termini.

Price per square metre average: €13.45.

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €672.5

Portuense 

This district has similar rental prices to Appio Claudio and Cappanelle. Unlike them though, it is closer to Rome’s city centre and borders on more expensive districts such as Marconi and Monteverde.

READ ALSO: What are the best Rome neighbourhoods for international residents?

Portunese is not served by a metro stop, but it does have a train station. Highlights of the area include its park, Tevere Magliana, which borders on river Tiber. 

Price per square metre average: €13.65

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €682.5

Monti Tiburtina and Pietralata

Admittedly, these two neighbourhoods are not the prettiest, but if getting into work and the centre is a top priority, then they’re probably the best out of the most affordable areas to live in Rome. Each is served by a metro stop, with Tiburtina being Rome’s second largest station after Rome Termini.

Price per square metre average: €14.01

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €700

Talenti, Monti Sacro and Nuovo Salario 

Just north of Monti Tiburtina and Pietralata are the neighbourhoods of Talenti, Monti Sacro and Nuovo Salario. The area is nicer and the slightly higher average price reflects that.

There are metro stops and train stations for commuters, as well as parks and numerous eateries.

READ ALSO: The downsides of Rome you should be aware of before moving there

Price per square metre average: €14.6

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €730

Appia Pignatelli, Ardeatino and Montagnola

To get the best out of living in these neighbourhoods, getting a car will be necessary as transport is scarce. However, what these quartieri lack in transport, they make up for in greenery as they’re all close to the famous Appia Antica park. There’s also a wealth of things to do if you fancy staying local over the weekend.

Nevertheless, the area is probably best suited to someone with access to a car or working from home. 

Price per square metre average: €14.88

Average monthly price for 50 square metres: €730

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RENTING

Renting in Italy: How to avoid falling victim to security deposit scams

Stories of foreign tenants being mistreated by unscrupulous landlords are common in Italy. But when it comes to rental security deposits, the country has strong protections in place. Here’s what you need to know to avoid losing your money. Share your own stories and views below.

Published: 13 September 2024 15:57 CEST
Renting in Italy: How to avoid falling victim to security deposit scams

A rental security deposit – deposito cauzionale or simply cauzione in Italian – is a set amount of money a tenant pays a landlord to protect the landlord in case of damage to the property. 

The deposit serves as a guarantee that the tenant will follow all the rules outlined in the rental agreement, and it must be returned when the tenant moves out.

Stories abound of foreign nationals being mistreated by unscrupulous landlords in Italy, but when it comes to security deposits, Italy has strong protections in place for renters. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. 

How much deposit can a landlord request?

By law, security deposits cannot exceed three months’ rent, regardless of the tenant’s income or nationality, but landlords don’t always respect the rules.

READ ALSO: 8 things landlords in Italy can never ask of tenants

When looking for an apartment in central Milan several years ago, Sofia, who grew up in Australia, was told by a landlord that foreign nationals needed to pay a 12-month deposit because they sometimes left without paying the final instalments.

“The deposit was not presented as something negotiable,” she said. “It was a high-end apartment, so I guess the landlord knew that people had the capacity to pay.”

Sofia knew it might not be legal, but at the time it was difficult to find high-quality, centrally located apartments, she said.

She ended up choosing a different flat with a more standard deposit simply because she liked the other place better.

What happens if a landlord asks for more than 3 months’ deposit?

Unfortunately, prospective tenants have little recourse.

Landlords often refuse to change the deposit terms even when challenged, and will simply choose a different tenant. 

However, if you’ve already entered a rental agreement that asks for more than a 3-month deposit, you can ask the landlord to return the money.

If the landlord refuses, the tenant can then request mandatory mediation before national homeowners association Unioncasa.  

What do security deposits cover? 

Security deposits can only be used to cover certain limited expenses.

These include:

  • Any rent the tenant failed to pay
  • Failure to maintain the property, such as making repairs when things break
  • Property damage caused by the tenants themselves
  • Legal costs arising from eviction proceedings if the tenant refuses to move out
  • Refusal to give the owner access to the property for valid reasons

Tenants should fully document existing damage before moving in so landlords can’t try to make them foot the bill for problems that predated them. 

When is the security deposit due?

Renters in Italy often sign a preliminary agreement laying out the basic rental terms – including duration and price – followed by a more comprehensive rental agreement.

The security deposit is generally due at the moment the final rental agreement is signed.

Sometimes, during the preliminary contract phase, a landlord will request a caparra. This is an amount of money guaranteeing the completion of the rental agreement and is usually much less than the deposit (the cauzione).

READ ALSO: The 8 red flags to look out for to avoid rental scams in Italy

When the final agreement is signed, the caparra should be returned and the cauzione becomes immediately due.

Alternatively, the caparra can be absorbed as part of the deposit or applied as payment for the first month’s rent.

Ultimately, Italians sometimes use the words caparra and cauzione interchangeably, but they are actually two separate things.

When is the security deposit returned?

The security deposit must be returned at the moment the tenant gives the property back to the landlord.

If the landlord is late returning the deposit, the tenant can file a ricorso per decreto ingiuntivo (injunction order) to request the deposit plus interest.   

What happens if the landlord doesn’t return my full deposit?

A landlord cannot unilaterally decide to withhold a deposit.

To keep all or part of the deposit, the landlord must appear in court so a judge can verify whether the property was in fact damaged, or whether other circumstances justify the landlord keeping the money.  

In fact, sometimes at the end of the rental period, the landlord has to pay back more than the original deposit.

Every year, the Ministry of Economy and Finance sets legal interest rates based on inflation and other economic factors.

During periods with high legal interest rates, the landlord might be required to pay back the deposit plus interest.  

Can I pay my last months’ rent with my deposit?

Tenants cannot use the deposit to pay their last three months’ rent. The deposit is due back after the tenant moves out. If the tenant stops paying rent before the rental period ends, he or she is in breach of contract and could face legal action.

Can I avoid deposit problems by only choosing rental properties listed by real estate agents?

In this situation, real estate agents typically represent the landlord’s interests, not the tenant’s – even if the tenant ends up paying the agent’s fee.

Agents don’t always follow the rules, and sometimes they don’t even know the law surrounding deposits. 

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How to find a longer-term apartment rental in Italy

When it comes to rental agreements, it’s generally wise to be your own advocate and speak to an expert who has no connection to the landlord.   

Key vocabulary 

Deposito cauzionale – Security deposit

Caparra – Down payment 

Ricorso per decreto ingiuntivo – Injunctive relief 

Mediazione obbligatoria – Mandatory mediation 

Do you have experience of landlords in Italy not respecting the law when it comes to rental deposits? Share your stories and advice in the comments section below.

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