Getting a House In Naples

The housing process, where do I even begin?

When Marito and I first arrived in Naples, we were fortunate enough to meet a realtor that same day. A couple days later we were out looking at houses. We NEVER went through Housing to go on the trips to see homes out in town. They don't mind if you go through a realtor as long as he/she is listed with Housing and they know the procedure. Which was nice, I didn't have to worry about going on day trips to see houses when I have already found the home I want to move into.

We found our house on the fourth day of being here in Napoli. Awesome, we are going to be ahead of the game! After picking a house, I had to meet with my Landlord at Housing to make an appointment for the Landlord to bring in documents to prove his house was built legally. This was an extra step we had to go through because our Landlord hasn't rented to Americans in quite a while, and the appointment was about a week later.

Starting out I had heard many rumors about having to sign wavier if you decide to live in certain areas of Naples. This is true, at least it was. For instance, Lago Patria used to have high(er) crime rates, but over the years the area has cleaned up and the rates have dropped. The waiver is for your knowledge that you choose to live in this particular area. I am moving into Lago Patria, and have been in a hotel here for two months- if you look in the Panorama Newspaper you can keep an eye on what happens and where (break ins, robbery, car accidents etc). I haven't seen anything that has made me second guess our decision to live here. We are away from the valley where the smoke and smog like to collect, far enough away from base to leave work behind, and close to the water to get a great breeze through our windows.

Back to the paper work. Our Landlord brought in the documents showing our house was legal, but he was missing one paper or number and had to make yet another appointment for the following week. This was going to put us behind so I met the Landlord the NEXT day at Housing and asked to been seen. It wasn't a problem. Some people may have issues, but I did not.

After this we set an appointment to go into a pre-contract. When that day came, the owner and his two daughters (whoever is an owner must attend) met up at Housing and we went through the steps of signing a pre-contract. Here we discussed what the negotiations are. For us we wanted electric front gates, electric garage door, a couple extra AC units, wall paper removed, and new kitchen cabinets. Some people ask for maid services, yard service, even elevators to be installed. It all depends on how much money you are eligable for with your rank. I could live in the same house as a Commander, I just wouldn't be able to negotiate anywhere near as much as the Commander could, because the Commander makes more OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance). Once everyone is in an agreement, the pre-contract is signed and an Inspection date is set.

Our Landlord postponed the Inspection by a couple of days, which again put us behind schedule. Fortunately the inspection passed the first time! Some/most Landlords do not start working on your negotiations until the pre-contract is signed, which is why my Landlord pushed it back a few days, so he could have more time.

After you find out your house passed inspection, I advise you to go book your Contract appointment immediately. Delaying this can delay you from getting this appointment by a matter of a week or more some times. Which means you are in your hotel for even longer!

So now it is Contract signing time! Yay! Dedicate two hours for this because you will need an hour for the actual contract, and another hour to drop off a security deposit (Full month's rent worth), go to Residential Services and turn on Electricity, schedule your household good  (HHG) shipment and then go back to Housing to drop off a receipt.

You should get your keys the same day as your contract signing. Yippee!! But wait! It can take up to five working days before you get electricity, which mean you don't want you HHG to be delivered before hand- you won't be able to set your security alarm! Just something to keep in mind.

A few of my girlfriends from the hotel have already moved in, so I have been helping them clean before their furniture comes in, and then helping them unpack all of those boxes! It surely is a chore!

Since our Landlord took a few extra days, and had an extra hoop to go through, marito and I are now in a Short Term Lease with the hotel. This simply means we are now paying a reduced price with our OHA and Utilities Allowance to pay for the few extra nights here. To get Short Term Lease, you need to make sure the hotel has the extra room for you first!! Then you go to housing to make and appointment, then a couple days later go to the appointment to file for the money.

Housing seems like a broken process, but I would much rather go through their hassle with going in to make an appointment, wishing I could just be a walk in, than to have the Polizia come knocking at my door giving me an hours notice to get out of my house- all because it was illegally built. Keep an open mind through out the process and just enjoy being here, in Italy!