Abstract

Twenty years ago the last legal reform of residential tenancies came into force in Italy. This paper highlights the pros and cons of this reform and analyses its outcomes. After a brief overview of the previous statutes on residential tenancies, the paper explores the main current issues related to statute n. 431/1998. The abolition of rent control, the protection of tenant stability and the measures to prevent the black market are the benefits of the current legal regime. Conversely, the lack of specific information duties, the insufficient attention to the quality standards of the dwellings, and the uncertain regime of rent increase are the most evident drawbacks.