Ultimate Guide to Finding Housing in Rome

Moving to Rome—whether for study, work, or a fresh start—is an exciting experience. But navigating the housing market in a foreign city can feel overwhelming. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding housing in Rome, whether you’re looking for a room or a full apartment.

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Part 3: Top Platforms to Search for Apartments in Italy

Immobiliare.it – Italy’s largest real estate portal.

Idealista.it – Highly popular, with an English interface.

Casa.it – Professional long-term listings.

Subito.it – Classifieds site; use caution and verify listings.

Bakeca.it – Local listings, mostly in Italian.

Airbnb – Use for short- or mid-term stays while searching.

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Want a Stress-Free Move?

Ask before you move in if you can take up residency. Most homeowners are not willing to do this for renters because they are not paying their taxes. Why wouldn’t that surprise us? If you are a not an Italian speaker, read this blog rental contracts.  about signing a contract and different options.   

Doorman? If you can find housing with a doorman that would be great. Not every building has one and definitely helps getting your packages and mail. Did you know some ebay and Amazon sellers refuse to ship to Italy? Why? Packages are always being lost or should we say STOLEN?

You might see advertising for Rooms close to FAO, well connected and only 2km away!!! Use google maps, search the person’s email as well. There are many scams in Rome for rooms, and If you do find a room negotiate the price. Most Italians think that Expats can afford to pay more.

If you do want to find housing near FAO, then you can try these locations that are relatively close: San Giovanni, Piazza Tuscolo, Re di Roma, Colosseo, Labicana, Trastevere, Testaccio and Piramide. 

If you are looking for cheap housing but not too far from the center try Pigneto & San Giovanni which have become a trendy place to hang out. There is also San Lorenzo which is known more among university students and artists district.

Most anything can be found on google or facebook as long as you search for room for rent. Craigslist can be a trick. If you do use Craigslist make sure you search the email or images on the net. Do NOT send money before you are here unless it is a rental agency or trusted friend or contact.

If you find yourself in a situation where you’d like to get legal help, you can always reach out to legal@expatslivinginrome.com and get a free consultation!

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If you don’t want to stress out and willing to hire someone who’d do a house search, utility bills transfer, obtaining a residency, and anything that could ease your process of relocation for you – contact us info@expatslivinginrome.com we can help you.

Final Thoughts

Finding a home in Rome can take time, but with the right tools and support, you’ll find a place that fits your needs and lifestyle. Benvenuti a Roma—and happy house hunting!

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Moving to a new city in Italy can be a wonderful experience, but finding a rental property can be challenging, especially for expats. Unfortunately, rental scams are common in Italy, and falling victim to one can leave you without a place to live and a lot of frustration. In this article, we’ll provide you with some essential tips and warning signs to help you avoid rental scams and ensure that you find a legitimate rental property in Italy.

1. Insist on Seeing the Property in Person

If a landlord refuses to meet with you in person or provide you with a real-time video walkthrough of the rental, it’s a warning sign that the property may not exist. A trustworthy landlord will want to meet with you to build trust, and if they’re unable to do so, you should be cautious.

2. Be Cautious of Properties “Available Immediately”

Scammers know that people often need a place to live quickly, and they will try to take advantage of this. Be careful when dealing with properties that are available immediately, as this can be a sign of a scam or an unorganized landlord. If you are in the unfortunate position of needing a place immediately, be extra careful. Properties that are available right away can be scams or the sign of a disorganized landlord.

3. Beware of Upfront Payments!

If a landlord asks for rent or a security deposit before you’ve signed a lease or had a chance to meet with them, it’s a warning sign that they may be trying to scam you. Scammers may claim to live overseas and ask you to wire them money in exchange for keys. Remember that anyone who doesn’t live near the rental itself should have someone, such as a property manager or realtor, who lives in the area and can manage the rental.

4. If It Seems Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is

A rental property that is priced significantly below the market rate in your area should be a warning sign. Such properties can be a “bait and switch” situation, where the owner uses a low rent price to lure in potential renters before suddenly taking the listing off the market. So how can you determine if  the rental is fair market value and not a scam? You should always do your own research on rent prices for units of comparable location, size, and amenities to get a good idea of what rentals in a certain area are being rented for.

5. Watch for Typos, Poor Grammar, or No Price in the Listing

Landlords or property managers will take the time to write a decent listing and proofread it, too. If you come across a rental listing that is full of typos, has poor grammar, or lacks a price, it’s likely created by a scammer. Be wary of individuals who send you a PM without sharing the rental details publicly. In conclusion, rental scams are prevalent in Italy, but with the right knowledge and caution, you can protect yourself from being scammed. Always insist on seeing the property in person or a real-time video walkthrough, be cautious of properties available immediately, beware of upfront payments, be wary of rental prices that seem too good to be true, and watch for typos, poor grammar, or no price in the listing. By following these tips, you can avoid rental scams and find a legitimate rental property in Italy.

If you’re not in Italy and need someone to check the property for you, our team can send a local expert to verify the property’s legitimacy for a fee. If you are looking for a room or apartment take a look at these groups on Facebook: Rooms & Apartments for Rent in Rome &  Expats in Rome Noticeboard

When searching for long-term accommodation, trust reputable websites. Here are some trusted platforms to consider:

Idealista: Italy’s largest property website with an extensive range of rental properties.

Immobiliare: A prominent platform known for its comprehensive property listings.

www.casa.it

If you’re still struggling to find housing in Rome or Turin, send an email to info@expatslivinginrome.com

There are also some listings on our website, check them out here.

Try airbnb to be safe. Write the host on airbnb before booking and ask if you are able to extend the rental if needed.

 

Subscribe to our newsletter to access content and updates to help navigate life as an expat in Italy. If you need help with your citizenship process, language courses, or general expat life in Italy, email us at info@expatslivinginrome.com.

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Dear expats, students and everyone else who is looking for an apartment or a room to rent in Rome?

Have you heard about this new, innovative portal launched by an Italian Startup that makes the renting simple, quick and secure

and charges NO COMMISSION OR BOOKING FEES!?! 

Ok, let us tell you about it and what else makes this platform so great! It’s called ZAPPYRENT.

On their site you can browse through the hundreds of rooms and apartments available and reserve your perfect accommodation for a period from one month to several years. Also in Milan, Florence, Bologna or Catania and more places in future.

Scared of scams? They offer an extra layer of security, the room is reserved for you but the payment is sent to the landlord only 24hrs AFTER you move in.

You might be already aware that a common problem when renting a room as a foreigner is to get the deposit back from the landlord. Zappyrent helps you solve this problem by freezing the security deposit on the platform until the end of the tenancy. So you don’t have the risk that the landlord keeps it for no reason.

We believe tenants around the world deserve a better experience, shouldn’t have to struggle to rent an apartment nor be victims of scams or non-transparent intermediaries with their hefty fees. That’s why we recommend Zappyrent! Check them out for yourselves here.