When this help may be useful
- The tenant has not paid one or more rent instalments or the service charges
- The lease has expired and the tenant does not leave the property
- You want to recover rent arrears and damage to the flat
- You are the tenant and have received an eviction notice
How eviction works in Italy
The process usually starts with a demand for payment. If the situation is not resolved, the tenant is served with an eviction notice (intimazione di sfratto) together with a summons for validation before the Court. If the tenant does not object or does not pay the arrears where the law allows it, the judge validates the eviction and sets the date for vacating the property.
Together with the eviction, an order for payment of the rent arrears can be requested, so that the amounts can also be recovered. If the property is not vacated, enforcement follows through the court bailiff.
How I assist you
I check the contract and its registration, calculate the amounts due, start the procedure and follow you until the keys are returned and the debt recovered. I also assist tenants who have received an eviction notice and want to understand how to defend themselves or reach an agreement.
The process, step by step
- Check of the contract and the debt
- Demand for payment
- Eviction notice and validation hearing
- Vacating of the property and recovery of rent
Frequently asked questions
After how many months of unpaid rent can I start an eviction?
For homes, a single unpaid rent instalment twenty days after the due date is enough, or unpaid service charges exceeding two months' rent. For commercial premises the assessment is different.
How long does it take to get the property back?
It depends on the tenant's behaviour and on the timing of the court and the bailiff. Acting immediately, without letting the debt build up, is the best way to shorten the time.
Can I change the lock if the tenant does not pay?
No. The owner cannot take the law into their own hands: doing so could have criminal consequences. The eviction procedure must be followed.
The information on this page is general, refers to Italian law and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case.