When you find an appropriate property a rental contract will be drawn up. This contract may be signed by the individual or by the legal representative of his/her company. The standard Italian rental contract is commonly known as the “4 + 4” contract because the duration is for 4 years and is renewable for another 4 years. The owner is obliged to guarantee this period but the tenant can give notice with a registered letter. The official notice period is 6 months but this can normally be negotiated to 3 months.

Rent Payments
In Milan at the time of signing the lease it is expected to pay 3 months rent in advance (rental payments are always made in advance and usually paid quarterly). Some owners will accept monthly payments, especially for small apartments.

Security Deposit
The security deposit which amounts to 3 months rent is paid to the owner and is normally put in a bank or post savings book which draws a little interest. It will be returned to you at the end of your stay less any amount to cover damages and/or any outstanding payments. It is never used to pay the last three months rent.

Condominium Expenses
Besides the Rental Cost (l’affitto), another cost to keep in mind when looking for an apartment is the Condominium Expenses (spese). These generally include cleaning and maintenance of the building; central heating; water supply; the cost of running and maintaining the elevator; the porter's salary; gardening charges (if any), etc. These condominium expenses are variable, depending on the size, age and condition of the building, the type of heating used, and the number of tenants among whom they are divided. The administrator of the building draws up a forecast of what the yearly expenses are expected to be, and these estimated expenses, broken down into appropriate payment periods, are paid in advance with the rental payment. At the end of the administrative year the forecast will be compared with the actual costs and the tenant will be expected to pay the difference if the costs are higher, or will be given a credit if they are lower.

Registration Tax
The yearly registration tax is a 2% of the year's rent, divided equally between the owner and the tenant. The stamp duty is paid by the tenant. When notice is given there is a cancellation fee to be paid to the registry office. This fee is to be paid by the party that gives notice.

Maintenance
Tenants are expected to be responsible for the upkeep and the ordinary maintenance of the property and its contents. This includes electric appliances. In case of dispute regarding the cause of a breakdown, often the opinion of a technician is normally accepted. Any extraordinary maintenance costs will be covered by the owner.

Handover of Property
The tenant is expected to return the property in the same state in which he received it. If the house has been painted at the beginning of the contract it must be returned in the same state. This does not apply to short term rentals. Owners will keep back money from the deposit if the property is not returned clean and in order.