Viewing a Room in Milan: 20 Questions to Ask the Landlord

A proper viewing takes at least twenty minutes and ends with three facts in writing: the exact rent, what the bills and building charges cover, and the contract type. Knowing the right questions to ask when viewing a room in Milan is what separates a smooth year from six months of unpleasant surprises. Below: the 20 questions, an on-site checklist, and a comparison of the three ways to view a place.

In person, by video call or through a proxy

In September, when demand in Milan peaks, not everyone can be in the city. Here is how the options compare.

In-person viewing

• Pro: you can spot damp, real daylight, street noise and water pressure, and meet the flatmates.
• Pro: you time the walk to the metro stop yourself.
• Con: you need to be in Milan, with travel and short-stay costs.

Video call

• Pro: you can rule out many options quickly without travelling.
• Con: wide-angle lenses and lighting make rooms look bigger; you can't hear the courtyard.
• Tip: ask for a live walkthrough of windows, bathroom, kitchen and meters, never a pre-recorded clip.

Proxy viewing

• Pro: real eyes on the property when you can't be there.
• Con: their standards aren't yours; give precise instructions and ask for photos of every room.
• Tip: send them this question list before they go.

The 20 questions to ask the landlord

Money and contract (1-7)

1. Does the advertised rent include spese condominiali (building service charges)?
2. What do electricity, gas, water and internet average per person each month?
3. Which contract will I sign: transitorio (short-term), the university student contract, or 4+4?
4. Will the contract be registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian tax office) and will I get a copy?
5. How large is the cauzione (security deposit), in months of rent?
6. Under what conditions and within what timeframe is the deposit returned?
7. Is a parental guarantee or a bank guarantee required?

The flat and its systems (8-13)

1. Is heating centralised or independent, and during which hours is it on?
2. Does the flat have an APE (energy performance certificate)?
3. Have there been damp or mould problems in recent winters?
4. Who pays for small repairs, the boiler and appliance maintenance?
5. Is the room furnished, and will the furniture stay as it is?
6. Is there a washing machine, and where is laundry dried?

Living together and house rules (14-17)

1. How many flatmates are there, what do they study or do, and what are their hours?
2. Are overnight guests allowed, and can I cook freely?
3. How are cleaning and shared shopping organised?
4. Can I register my residenza (official residence) at this address?

Dates and location (18-20)

1. From when is it available and what is the minimum stay?
2. Can I leave early, and how much notice is needed?
3. Which is the nearest metro stop, and how many minutes on foot?

Golden rule: anything promised verbally must appear in the written contract. For deposits, registration and taxes, always check the current rules on official Italian sources.

On-site checklist

• Open the windows: traffic noise or quiet inner courtyard?
• Check corners behind the wardrobe and under the windowsill — dark patches mean damp.
• Run the hot water in the bathroom and kitchen and time how long it takes.
• Count the power sockets near the desk.
• Test mobile signal inside the room.
• Look at the meters: who reads them and how are bills split?
• Photograph every existing defect, with a date, before signing.
• Check the building door, intercom and stairwell lighting.

Red flags worth walking away from

• Anyone asking for a bank transfer before a viewing or before signing.
• Prices far below market: a single room under €500 in the centre is almost always bait.
• Refusal to show ID or proof they are entitled to rent the property.
• Everything handled by chat, with no phone or live video call ever.
• Pressure lines such as "three other people want it, decide today".

Price ranges to sanity-check an offer

The most student-heavy areas are Città Studi, around Piola and Lambrate on M2, for Politecnico; Porta Romana and nearby for Bocconi; and Bicocca to the north on M5. The historic centre, close to Statale, costs noticeably more for the same square metres.

Which approach suits whom

• Already in Milan, or able to come in early summer: view in person and fit three flats into one day.
• Abroad with a decision due this week: live video call, then read the contract calmly before transferring anything.
• Room in a high-demand area with a tight deadline: send a trusted person armed with this checklist.
• First time living away from home: work with an agency and ask for a draft contract before signing.

Once you have the answers, compare offers on total monthly cost, not on rent alone. Browse the current homes for rent, and if you'd like us to search based on your university and budget, write to us through the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

How many places should I see before deciding?

Three or four gives you a benchmark. More than five in one day and the details blur — take photos and note rent and bills right after each viewing.

Is it normal to pay to hold a room after the viewing?

A holding deposit is common, but only with a written receipt stating what happens if the contract isn't signed. Never hand over cash with no paperwork.

When is the best time to view flats in Milan?

June and July: wide choice, less competition. From late August to October rooms are taken within days and prices stiffen.

Can I ask to read the contract before paying the deposit?

Yes, and it is a perfectly reasonable request. Check duration, deposit amount, return conditions and whether you can register your residenza.