The economic crisis in Italy has highlighted the growing phenomena of families not being able to find a suitable house for their needs, due to the financial difficulty of acquiring a house either through purchase or rental, and, even more so, through the route of public housing. A renewed awareness at a national level of the need for adequate housing policies at this critical juncture is accompanied by a need to look at the European framework, where a home is essential in order to ensure genuine freedom of movement of persons among EU countries.
Given these considerations, this volume aims to provide readers throughout the EU with an up-to-date analysis on the state of the residential rental sector in Italy. The book begins with a general overview of the housing situation, with particular reference to recent public and fiscal policies. It then analyzes how legislation in Italy has developed in this area, including the many court rulings, which continuously modify how the law is interpreted and attempt to bring it in line with the needs of society today. A comparison with the rules governing access to public housing is also provided. Finally, the study highlights best practices in Italy that are worth exploiting in other nations of the EU, such as the constant balance between the interests of the owners and the tenants, who are the weak subjects in the contractual relationship, as well as the comprehensive legislation introduced to counter black market rentals.