Documents to Contact Tenant Unions in Italy

Rent updates (ISTAT) and local agreements (with attestation) 2 min read · published September 11, 2025

If you are a tenant in Italy and need to contact a tenant union, having the right documents can speed up assistance and protect your rights. This guide explains which documents to collect — lease agreement, payment receipts, correspondence with the landlord, photos of damage and any habitability certificates — how to organize them and how to send them clearly. You will also find practical instructions to file complaints, consider the "cedolare secca" when applicable and when to consult a union or a lawyer. Official procedures and forms in Italy, such as registering the contract (Modello RLI)[1], are indicated with useful references to help you act with more confidence.

Which documents to prepare

  • Registered lease agreement (document)
  • Payment receipts or proof of payment (payment)
  • Written correspondence with the landlord or notice (mail)
  • Photos and videos of damage or habitability issues (photo)
  • Repair reports and maintenance estimates (maintenance)
  • Identity documents and personal data
Keep all rent receipts organized and stored safely.

How to send documents to the union

Organize files chronologically, preferably in PDF, and create a short index listing each document. When you write to the union, state the problem clearly, include relevant dates and attach only essential files. If you need to register or modify the contract, consult the Modello RLI and the Agenzia Entrate instructions for official steps[1].

Always reply to written notices within stated deadlines to avoid weakening your rights.

Frequently asked questions

What evidence is needed for a habitability complaint?
Photos or videos of damage, communications sent to the landlord, any technical reports and receipts for expenses incurred.
Do I need a registered contract to request assistance?
Not always, but registering the contract helps with verifications and administrative procedures; contract registration is regulated by current legislation[2].
What does a tenant union do?
It offers advice, help gathering documentation, support for mediations and, if needed, guidance for legal or administrative actions.

How to

  1. Collect the lease agreement and main receipts (document)
  2. Prepare the payment history with dates and amounts (payment)
  3. Scan or photograph evidence: damage, correspondence and estimates (photo)
  4. Write a short description of the issue and attach documents in a single file when you send the request (file)
  5. Contact the union by email or phone and state the reference of the sent documents (call)
  6. If legal action is advised, request contacts for legal support or mediation at the competent court (court)

Help and resources

  1. [1] Agenzia Entrate - Modello RLI
  2. [2] Normattiva - Law 431/1998

Categories

Types of rental contracts (4+4, 3+2, temporary, student) Term, renewal, and landlord termination Tenant early termination for serious reasons (6-month notice) Contract registration and taxes (RLI, 30 days) Cedolare secca option and rent/ISTAT indexation Rent updates (ISTAT) and local agreements (with attestation) Security deposit and legal interest (max 3 months) Service charges and condominium fees Maintenance and repairs (ordinary vs extraordinary) Property condition, inventory, and return Viewings, landlord access, and works Energy Performance Certificate (APE) Subletting and assignment Arrears and eviction procedures Pets and condominium rules Tenant residence registration Guarantees: surety and guarantor Tax relief for tenants (IRPEF deductions) Short-term lets and tourist rentals Privacy and documents in rentals (GDPR)
Bob Jones
Bob Jones

Editor & Researcher, Tenant Rights Italy

Bob writes and reviews tenant law content for various regions. They’re passionate about housing justice and simplifying legal protections for tenants everywhere.

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