Milan Apartment Viewing Checklist for International Students

What to ask before booking a viewing

Start with the essentials rather than spending time on a flat that cannot work for you. Confirm the exact address or at least the street and building area, available move-in date, duration offered, monthly rent, condominium charges, utilities, deposit, agency commission and any required advance rent. Ask whether the advertised photos show the actual unit and whether the advertised furniture remains.

If you are moving to Milan from abroad, clarify whether a live video viewing is possible, whether someone you trust can attend, and what identification or guarantor documents the agency will require if you decide to apply.

Inside the apartment: check what the listing cannot show

• Daylight and window orientation: open the curtains, ask which rooms receive natural light and whether there is another building immediately opposite.
• Noise: pause and listen with windows open and closed; note nearby traffic, bars, trams, construction and the position of the bedroom.
• Damp and ventilation: look around window frames, bathroom ceilings, exterior walls and behind furniture for staining or signs of mould. Ask how ventilation works.
• Water and bathroom: test taps and showers where permitted, ask about hot water and check drainage, extractor fan, grout and any visible leaks.
• Heating and cooling: identify the system and ask whether heating is centralised, how bills are allocated and whether air conditioning is included and functional.
• Furniture and appliances: open cupboards where appropriate; check mattress size, desk space, washing machine, fridge and cooker; note damaged or missing items.
• Connectivity: ask which internet service is available, whether there is an existing active contract and whether the building has coverage suitable for online classes.
• Safety and access: look at entrance lighting, door and window locks, stairs, lift access and whether the building entry is secure.

Ask permission before testing equipment, photographing private belongings or recording a video. A viewing gives practical evidence, but it is not an engineering survey or a guarantee that no defects exist.

Do not forget the building and the street

Walk from the entrance to the nearest reliable transport stop. Compare the actual route to your specific university campus, not just to the institution’s main address. Check the walk at the times you expect to travel: a ten-minute route on a map can feel very different late at night or with luggage.

Inspect the lift if your room is on an upper floor; consider stairs, waste disposal, building access, street lighting and the nearest supermarket or pharmacy. Ask whether major building works are planned or currently in progress, and whether they may affect access or noise.

Questions about money to get answered in writing

• What is the exact monthly rent, and what is excluded?
• How much are condominium expenses and which services do they cover?
• Which utilities will be paid directly by the tenant, and are there past consumption estimates?
• How many months of security deposit and advance rent are requested? Keep those amounts distinct.
• Is there an agency commission? What is its exact euro amount including applicable VAT, and when is it due?
• What are the contract start date, end date and notice rules?
• Which furnishings and appliances are included in the signed inventory?
• Who handles repairs, check-in documentation and the final inspection?

The monthly advertised price is not your move-in budget. Use our upfront cost calculator before deciding whether the apartment is affordable.

Remote viewing checklist: what to request on video

1. 1

   Start outside

   Ask the person attending to show the building entrance, street and communal hallway, without exposing other residents’ personal information.

2. 2

   Walk every room continuously

   Request one uninterrupted tour when practical, including corners, window views, storage, kitchen and bathroom.

3. 3

   Show practical details

   Check outlets, desk space, appliance labels, heating controls, visible damp, water pressure where feasible and any existing damage.

4. 4

   Send a written recap

   List anything not demonstrated, unanswered questions and differences between the listing and the actual flat.

A video tour can help confirm that a unit is real and accessible, but it does not establish that the presenter owns it or has authority to rent it. Verify the counterparty and written agreement separately. See our anti-scam guide.

Before you send money or sign

Ask for the draft agreement and itemised costs; check the identities and authority of the parties, the property address and the terms of payment. Get important promises in writing, including furniture to remain, repairs agreed before check-in and the actual delivery date. For contracts requiring registration, the Italian Revenue Agency provides the RLI service; as a general rule, contracts exceeding 30 total days in a year with the same tenant require registration within the applicable 30-day deadline.

Prepare your rental-document folder and clarify Codice Fiscale requirements early, without sending sensitive files indiscriminately.

Score two properties fairly

After every viewing, record a simple score from 1 to 5 for condition, location, light, noise, total monthly cost and move-in readiness. Separately record three non-negotiables. If a property fails one, an attractive photo should not outweigh the practical issue. Keep dated notes: relying on memory after several viewings makes comparisons unreliable.

Frequently asked questions