Types of apartment rental leases: long-term, Short-term, 3+2, 4+1
- Leases are called ‘Contracts’ in Italy.
- The contract will be in Italian. If you don’t speak Italian, ask a friend to help you or at least get a copy (before you sign) and use Google translate to make sure you know what you’re signing.
- Long-term/Short-term – the length all depends on who you are talking to. To an Italian, a long-term lease is 3+ years. To an American/non-Italian – most likely, anything longer than 6 months is long-term.
- Most foreigners seek a one year lease.
The ‘1 yr’ apartments are usually slotted for foreigners, you may not get as much for your money.
- A ‘3+2’ contract: common Italian contract. Three year lease with an option at the end of three years to renew for two years at the same cost.
- A ‘4+1’ contract – same idea. Four year lease with an option to new for one year at the same cost.
Note
As in all contracts, there should be a clause which permits you to terminate the contract at any point, with a minimum period to give notice. If this clause is not in the first draft of the contract, ASK for it! It is normally acceptable to ask for a two month cancellation clause.
This is a safeguard for you – if you need to leave Italy or if simply circumstances change, maybe it turns out to be a terrible apartment, maybe you lose your job or you just want to leave.
Based on the Cancellation Clause – it doesn’t matter if you sign a 3+2 or 4+1 lease, right? 🙂
