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Renting a flat
Contract types (4+4, 3+2, transitorio), deposits, scams to avoid, setting up utilities and TARI, and moving out.
Checked November 2026 · rules change, so confirm fees and deadlines on the linked official pages
Rental contracts
| Type | Length | Rent | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4+4 canone libero | 4 yrs + auto 4 | Market rate | Most common. You can leave early with notice (usually 6 months) for "serious reasons", or as the contract allows. |
| 3+2 canone concordato | 3 yrs + 2 | Capped by local tables | Often cheaper rent; landlord gets 10% flat tax so may offer it. |
| Transitorio | 1–18 months | Market or concordato | A real, written temporary reason (e.g. secondment). If the reason is missing it legally becomes a 4+4. |
| Studenti | 6–36 months | Concordato | University students only. |
| Short let (Airbnb) | <30 days | High | First weeks only. Usually no residency registration possible. |
Before you sign or pay
- Deposit (deposito cauzionale) is capped by law at 3 months' rent; any clause above that is void. It earns legal interest and should come back within about 30 days of handing back keys, minus documented damage.
- The landlord must register the contract with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 30 days. Ask for the registration receipt. An unregistered contract blocks your residency and permit renewal.
- Check who owns the flat (a visura catastale costs a few euros) and that the person signing has the right to rent it.
- Never pay a deposit for a flat you or someone you trust has not seen. Never accept keys "sent by post". These are the classic Milan scams on Facebook groups and Subito.
- Agency fee (provvigione) is commonly 10–15% of one year's rent plus VAT, paid once. Ask before viewing.
- Sign a photographed inventory and condition report on move-in day. Without it, damage is presumed yours.
- Check the contract allows you to take residenza there. Some landlords refuse; you need it for almost everything. If family will join you, also check the flat is big enough and the owner will sign the papers listed in Documents from your landlord.
- After moving in: switch electricity and gas into your name (Enel, A2A, Edison, Iren and others), set up fibre broadband, and register for TARI (waste tax, paid by the occupant) with the Comune. The TV licence fee is billed inside the electricity bill.
- Learn the AMSA waste sorting rules: paper, plastic+metal, glass, organic and general waste go out on set days. Fines are real.
Search sites: Immobiliare.it, Idealista, Casa.it, Subito (careful), Spotahome and HousingAnywhere for furnished mid-term, plus expat Facebook groups.
Setting up the flat
| Service | How | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity & gas | Free market: compare offers on the official Portale Offerte. Change the name on the contract (voltura) with the meter reading on move-in day; you need the POD (electricity) and PDR (gas) codes from the last bill. | €80–200/month, winter higher |
| Heating | Central heating (centralizzato) is billed in the condominium fees; own boiler (autonomo) runs on your gas bill. Boilers need a yearly check. | In fees or gas bill |
| Water | Usually inside condominium fees (MM Spa supplies Milan). | Small |
| Broadband | Fibre (FTTH) in most of Milan. Check your address; installation takes 1–3 weeks. | €25–30/month |
| TARI (waste tax) | Register within 90 days at the Comune di Milano TARI page. Paid by whoever lives there. | €200–450/year |
| Condominium fees | Cleaning, lift, concierge, sometimes heating and water. Ask for last year's statement before signing. | €80–300/month |
| Home insurance | Third-party liability is cheap and covers leaks into neighbours' flats. | €60–150/year |
Moving out
- Give notice by registered letter (raccomandata A/R) or PEC, not WhatsApp. For a 4+4, the usual notice is 6 months; check your contract.
- Close or transfer utilities with final meter readings, and cancel TARI.
- Do a joint final inspection, photograph everything and sign a verbale di riconsegna. The deposit, plus legal interest, is due back after that.
- If the landlord won't return the deposit, a letter from a tenants' union (SUNIA, SICET, UNIAT) usually settles it.