Italy: Tips on Italian rental - Linda Travella, Casa Travella

Travella’s Tips for Rental in Italy

Once you have purchased your property in Italy that you have bought for investment you need to understand the best ways to make the most of the buoyant rental market.

It is useful that the decor you choose is Italian in style as that is what rental clients will be expecting. Don’t think of just renting to the British market as many other nationalities are looking to rent property in Italy, Germans, Americans, Dutch to name but a few. Clients are now looking for higher quality furnishings and are prepared to pay more for them so make sure you install the flat screen TV, DVD, Microwave, Music Centre and even ADSL. Another point, have matching towels in the bathroom, because nowadays, using a few that you have at home of different colours just won’t work! Good quality linen and towels that match the decor is an advantage, as is a washing machine. Some clients don’t include one but I feel it is a very good idea and encourages longer stays. A parking space is necessary as many clients bring a car, unless, of course, you are in the centre of a town or village and you can arrive at the property by public transport. Make sure the property feels homely but not cluttered. It will depend greatly of course whether you are targeting the property for family holidays or couples as to the precise nature of the furniture. Remember the property is yours and you make the rules, so if you do not wish your property to be rented to people with children under 5 then put that in your advert. You will also need to specify whether animals are accepted at the property. Some people won’t travel without ‘Fido’ but it does not mean they have to rent your apartment.

How much can you expect to pay for a full rental service? Currently, about 25% is the norm, and for this your property should be advertised on various web sites, a meet and greet service provided, a contact number for the client to call in case of problems and the cleaning arranged and inventory checked. Most rental companies take a breakage deposit, so make sure yours does as well.

Remember you do not just have to rent your property by the week, look at the seasons and try to do a Thursday to Sunday rental or Monday to Friday, This is a good way for people to use the property for shorter periods thereby maximising your rental income.

The information you leave for clients at the property is of great importance. Local sights to see, restaurants to visit, trips to take, general facilities such as supermarkets, shops and weekly markets as well as local doctors, dentists, hospitals and so on.

It is also important to leave a list of how all the appliances work and tell clients where the electricity is turned on and off in case of storms causing power cuts.

If you take into account all of the above points, this will enable you to maximise the rental potential of your property. This is not only just in the short term with the initial rental, but also in the longer term, both for repeat visits by clients wishing to rent but also by those clients spreading by word of mouth, a most powerful tool in marketing.

Linda Travella

Linda is director of Casa Travella - www.casatravellapremier.com - and has specialised in Italian property since 1987. She has spent four years as chairman of FOPDAC, (the Federation of Overseas Property Developer, Agents and Consultants) and I am now Media Spokeswoman and committee member of NAEA International (National Association of Estate Agents), and a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UK.