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Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro"
Rental contract
What should I check before I sign a rental contract?
What it is
The lease you sign for a room or apartment, "contratto di locazione" (rental contract), and the checks to make before you sign it.
Why you need it
Once you sign, landlords expect every clause honoured, and the deposit you paid is the leverage they hold if you disagree later. Reading it properly before you sign is the only point where you have equal footing.
When
Before you sign, not after. Read the whole contract, and get help reading it if any clause is unclear, before you commit to it.
What you need first
- A codice fiscale, which most landlords ask for before signing
- Enough funds for the deposit and the first month's rent together, on top of your usual budget
- Somebody who reads Italian, if any clause is unclear to you
Ask a student
Ask whether their deposit came back in full, and if not, why: it is the clearest sign of whether a landlord is reasonable before you sign anything with them.