Documents for renting a student room: everything you need

You’ve found the right room. The landlord is on board. Now all that’s missing is the paperwork. Having everything ready in advance is the difference between locking in your room today and finding it rented to someone else tomorrow. Here’s your checklist.

The basics — always required

ID / Passport

A valid ID card or passport. Keep a digital copy on your phone at all times — you’ll need it multiple times during the process.

Codice Fiscale (Tax Code)

The Italian codice fiscale is essential for any contract. If you’re an international student and don't have one yet, you can get it for free from the Agenzia delle Entrate or any CAF office in Italy.

University enrollment certificate

The document proving your student status. You can download it directly from your university portal — usually under "Self-certifications" or "Documents". Most landlords require it for student-specific transitional contracts.

Guarantor’s Codice Fiscale

If you are a minor or if the landlord requests it, you’ll need the tax code of a guarantor — usually a parent. The guarantor agrees to cover the rent if you can't pay.

Guarantor’s documents — often required

Many landlords, especially when renting to students from other cities, require a guarantor. The typical documents needed are:

• Valid ID / Passport

• Codice Fiscale

• Last two payslips or tax return (CU or 730)

• Sometimes: bank statements from the last 3 months

The guarantor signs the contract along with you and takes responsibility for the payments if any issues arise.

Contract documents — needed at signing

Bank IBAN

You’ll need a bank account for your monthly payments. If you don’t have one yet, open it before you start your search — setup times can vary.

Marca da bollo (Revenue stamp)

To register the contract with the Agenzia delle Entrate, you need a €16 revenue stamp. Usually, the landlord or agency takes care of this, but it’s good to know you might be asked to buy one.

Passport photo

Some landlords or agencies ask for a passport-sized photo for the tenant file.

Extra documents for international students

If you’re an international student, you might also need:

• Valid residency permit (permesso di soggiorno)

• Student visa (if applicable)

• Admission or enrollment letter from the Italian university

• Certified translation of foreign documents (sometimes)

• References from your home country (parents' employment letter or bank statement)

How to organize your paperwork

The best hack is to create a digital folder on your phone or computer with all your documents scanned as PDFs. When a landlord asks for them, you can send them over in seconds without wasting time.

Keep a physical copy of the most important paperwork — ID, tax code, and university certificate — in a dedicated folder ready to bring to viewings.

What you should NEVER share before a viewing

Watch out for online scams. Never send sensitive documents — and absolutely never pay deposits or fees — before visiting the room in person and verifying the landlord's identity.

If a landlord asks for money or highly sensitive info before even showing you the apartment, that’s a major red flag.

It’s easier with Stanza Semplice

With Stanza Semplice, renting is transparent and hassle-free. We tell you exactly what documents you need before you even visit the room. No last-minute surprises, no useless paperwork.

Find your room and get ready — with this checklist, you’re already set.