Welcome Home's FAQ

This is the FAQ for WelcomeHome.com. If you don’t find the info you need, please contact us. We’ll answer you and include your question in the FAQ for future users. Thanks!

Rome is a fascinating, but chaotic city. Welcome Home is here to assist you and although we cannot change the system, we will try to guide you through it to reach your goal – a home in Rome. To help you understand the process of homefinding we have prepared the following:

General Questions

  • What is the timing involved in homefinding in Rome?
  • What are rental costs like?
  • Is it easier to find furnished or unfurnished flats?
  • What is the price difference between furnished and unfurnished flats?
  • What can I expect in the way of decor, furnishings and fittings?
  • How can I facilitate my homefinding?
  • What is the role of the estate agency?

    • Areas and Neighborhoods Overview

  • What area should I live in?
  • An over view of areas and neighborhoods.

    • We didn't answer your question? Please contact us!

    General Questions

    What is the timing involved in homefinding?
    • A home search should begin approximately 6 weeks before you intend to begin paying rent. Owners are hesitant to leave a property empty once a tenant has been found. A couple weeks are usually required for the contract work.
    • The time of year of greatest availability is late spring since most contracts have a 3 month exit clause and most people move during the summer months. This means that in May, June and July owners will announce that their tenants are moving shortly. The months of lowest availability are November and December, and March and April. Given the low availability in general, if you see something that works, do not hesitate in making a decision; it might be gone the next day!
    What about rental costs?
    • A rule of thumb is that unfurnished apartments run €1000 a month per bedroom. A one bedroom at this price is very difficult to come by and we regret we do not handle this. A 2 bedroom apartment in the city at the norm runs €2.500 -3.000.
    • Prices then go up according to quality and size of apartment. Properties out of the city will run less per square meter than in the city. To the rental sum, you need to add the monthly condominium costs, besides utilities, which will vary from property to property.
    Is it easier to find furnished or unfurnished flats?
    As a general rule the smaller and more centrally located apartments are usually furnished. In other words, small centrally located unfurnished flats are rare. Conversely larger flats, particularly those in the greater metropolitan, residential, and suburban areas, tend to be unfurnished. Large unfurnished apartments in the historic center are hard to come by.
    What is the price difference between furnished and unfurnished flats?
    There seems not to be much of a difference at all in the price between furnished and unfurnished apartments, especially as far as one or two bedrooms go. A furnished three or more bedroom flat will command a bit more, although the idea here is that the price is higher as these apartments are set up for shorter term rentals, hence command a premium.
    What can I expect in the way of decor, furnishings and fittings?
    • Properties are on the whole individually owned and decorated. Decoration can be as eclectic as the owners. Also properties may not be furnished as extensively as we might expect.
    • Furnishings reflect the history of Roman life, air conditioning, microwaves, dryers and multiple closets have not been a part of local usage and are difficult to find in apartments.
    How can I facilitate homefinding?
    • When you first arrive in Rome, take time initially to explore the city and talk with your colleagues regarding various potential living areas.
    • If you can keep requirements to the number of bedrooms and general area, the number of apartments to view will be higher.
    • Romans are quite settled in their housing, and stay put for generations, so that availability can be limited. Timing, your flexibility, and good luck will determine the number of properties available to you at any given moment.
    What is the role and cost of the agency?
    • As your agency, we will canvass the availabilities within our list of properties and through publications. Although there is no central listing in Rome, Welcome Home has set up a network of reputable referral agencies with whom we have worked and gladly collaborate. Please note the word “reputable”. Unfortunately in Rome, many local agencies do not fall in this category.
    • Once you have selected a property, we assist in the negotiation of the contract, which can be quite lengthy and involved. We are also present at the consignment of the property in order to settle you in to your new home. The standard fee which is applied and paid at the signing of a contract is equal to one month’s rent. If the contract is shorter than one year, 15% of the entirety of the rental sum is charged. Both owner and tenant pay a fee and often 2 agencies are involved.
    What info is needed in order to know about present availability of a property?
    It is essential that we have your budgetary guidelines and what you require regarding
    1. Area you would like to live in. (Need guidance? Feel free to contact us!)
    2. Furnished or unfurnished
    3. Number of bedrooms
    4. How long you'll need the apartment
    5. Who signs the lease, yourself or your company
    6. As of when you will need the property
    7. We also need to know when you will be available for appointments to view properties.
    You can send us all this info here!

    Areas and Neighborhoods Overview

    What area should I live in?
    The answer to this question will depend on where you work, if you have children in the international schools, how you plan to commute, and what you would like your life style to be. Take a look at the general categories, the neighborhoods, and the pros and cons listed below. Imagine concentric circles expanding outwards from the center of Rome.
    The Historic Center
    Many restaurants, cinemas, cafés, shops and small food shops, most within walking distance, many buses, 2 Metro lines, the pollution that goes with it. Small streets which create a lively scene, noise and difficult on-the-street parking. Buildings can be centuries old; plumbing, heating, lack of lifts may reflect this. Trastevere is all of the above and plays the role of the bohemian area of Rome.
    Metropolitan Center
    Nomentana, Salaria, Trieste, Parioli, (many doctors and lawyers live there) Prati and Aventino (a haven for diplomats) have turn of the century buildings, wider streets, restaurants, shops, small food shops, a few supermarkets, buses. Parking easier, some garages, private and public.
    Residential Areas
    Vigna Clara, Cassia (international schools), Monteverde Vecchio, Balduina, and EUR (home to many businesses and close to the airport) built in the 40’s to 60’s, balconies usual, some restaurants, supermarkets, buses available, quiet streets and larger apartments for the same money. Parking with gardens and garages, supermarkets, sports facilities, some transportation service.
    Suburban Life
    Upper Cassia, Olgiata, and Le Rughe in the north, Casal Palocco in the south, and the Castelli areas offer larger spaces and homes, greener and less chaotic life-style, but trade-off on the greater distances (and hence traffic) that come with that if one needs to commute by car. Can be well connected via commuter rails.

    We hope that this has been useful. Welcome Home is considered the expert in quality housing in Rome for expats for 20 years, and is owned and operated by expats who several times over were in the same place as you are – needing a home away from home. We look forward to helping you.

    Still have a question? Feel free to contact us.