Italy House Hunting ()
It’s important to be open-minded as you search for your new home. Italian homes are much different, smaller and older than what you may be used to. Although the outside of an Italian home may seem small, always go in and take a look inside. More often than not, people are surprised with the layout and newer interior of the home.
TYPES OF HOUSING
There is no on-base housing at Aviano.
Government Leased Housing Private homes in the local Italian community Government covers rent and utilities No Overseas Housing Allowance
Private homes in the local Italian community
Government covers rent and utilities
No Overseas Housing Allowance
Private Housing Private homes assessed by your installation’s Housing Office or found by a realtor. You are responsible for rent and utilities. You will receive Overseas Housing Allowance.
Private homes assessed by your installation’s Housing Office or found by a realtor.
You are responsible for rent and utilities.
You will receive Overseas Housing Allowance.
Private homes in the local Italian community
Government covers rent and utilities
No Overseas Housing Allowance
Private homes assessed by your installation’s Housing Office or found by a realtor.
You are responsible for rent and utilities.
You will receive Overseas Housing Allowance.
Finding Private Housing
Searching online
Visit www.homes.mil
Make an account
Look for private rentals that have been approved by your Housing Office or pending inspection.
Note: Check the site daily as houses will come and go quickly—especially during peak PCS season.
Searching with a realtor
More private rentals to select from than online.
Realtors come with fees at your expense, usually one month’s rent and 22% tax.
Housing office should help you negotiate your rental contract and finalize it.
VIEWING A HOME
Contact POC on housing ad to make an appointment (Aviano)
May complete a Letter of Intent from Housing Office (Aviano) and pay a deposit for the landlord to hold the house
Overseas Housing Allowance Covers:
Rent - If your rent is lower than your allowance, it’s in your best interest to negotiate upgrades into your contract and pay more up to your max allowance.
Utility and Maintenance - If you are responsible for your utilities, you will receive the full amount to cover this bill every month.
Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA)
MIHA Miscellaneous (for you) - one-time lump sum payment for items like transformers, window screens, curtains, etc.
MIHA Painting Fee (for landlord) - equal to one-month’s rent and covers mandatory painting fee to the landlord. Give Housing Offoce a copy of your payment.
Check with your installation’s housing office for allowances to improve security in your home
PAYING BILLS
Note: For Aviano, the Home Fuels Office may take care of electric and gas. However, not all bills can be paid through Home Fuels.
Italian bills are sent around every two months and are usually due within one week. Keep a record of all rental and utility payments in case they get lost or misrouted.
Electricity
An interpreter from the Housing Office will take you to sign up for electricity. At Aviano, see the Home Fuels Office.
This appointment will be scheduled on the day you sign your lease agreement.
An interpreter will assist you in setting up your contract in-person with the electric company.
Soon after signing up for electricity, you will get an initial bill and contract in the mail.
You must take the contract to the Housing Office and sign it.
The Housing Office will submit the contract on your behalf to the electric company.
Water
Pay your water bill through your bank.
If you’re living in a private rental your water bill should go directly to your landlord.
Heating
Oil or natural gas are the two primary ways Italian homes are heated.
Utility Tax Exemption Program (UTEP) eliminates taxes on your home heating bill.
INTERNET SERVICE
Telecom
Plans for international calls are available (landline to landline only).
Know that you will likely need to sign service contracts and may have to wait several weeks for installation depending on the provider.
More information can be provided by your installation’s Housing Office.
“Voice over Internet Protocol” (VoIP) service
Allows calling over the internet
Plans are relatively inexpensive
Includes domestic and international calls
TELEVISION SERVICE
AFN (American Forces Network)
Provides programming from current networks and prime channels.
You will need a decoder and satellite for AFN when living on the Italian economy.
Satellite
Visit www.sky.com
You will need a satellite and a decoder.
Streaming services
Examples - Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, etc. (You may need a VPN to access some of these services.)
Show variety and availability may be limited because you are outside the U.S. You can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access U.S. versions
HOUSEHOLD GOODS ARRIVAL
First steps
Lock in a delivery date for your household goods and remember that dates book fast during the peak summer PCS season.
Schedule temporary furniture pick up by calling the warehouse at least three days before the day of desired pick up.
Once your household goods arrive, make sure every box that was shipped has arrived.
Mark each item off your inventory list as everything is being unloaded.
Note: It is unlikely that your household goods will be delivered in August due to a high PCS season.
Inspect your home
Be sure to annotate any damages caused by movers. Note everything that isn’t right such as missing boxes or damaged goods. Be sure to make copies of all paperwork and take pictures of any damage.
Filing a claim
You have 75 days to submit a notice of loss.
From there, you will have nine months to submit your claim to be eligible for a full replacement value.
Be sure to have photos and receipt purchases of your damaged goods.
Keep any paperwork until all claims are processed.
QUICK APPLIANCE TIPS
You will need a power converter/transformer to use your American electronics (110-v plug-in) in your Italian home.
Your installation’s Furnishing Management Office should provide transformers for free along with a washer, dryer, refrigerator and wardrobes.
Check with your landlord for specifications on appliance size.
