A few months back we asked our readers, on this very blog: is a rental apartment the right choice for you as you visit Rome?

That post sparked some discussion and some confusion, with some our guests wondering if they had booked a rental apartment in error, after all, and whether it was expected of them to perform specific actions during their vacation, such as deep-clean the apartment they were interested in.

In light of questions such as this one, we have listed a series of do’s and don’ts that may be helpful as you approach the world of holiday rentals.

Those that follow are the most common etiquette norms we have come across when we ourselves travel, in Italy or abroad. We are sure you’ll find them to be extremely useful!

In a rental apartment, you’re not supposed to…

Thankfully, none of the above has ever happened to us!

… Make excess noise

The issue is twofold. To start with, at From Home to Rome we have accommodations for rent in the central part of town, where residents are mostly seniors. Very often they have medical conditions. So we ask to please be mindful of their, essentially, right to be in a peaceful environment.

Also, keep in mind that our holiday rentals are never detached houses – they are in apartment buildings.

Said buildings come with a set of common rules, among them “silence hours” – before 7AM, typically, right after lunch time and after 1030PM. Please be a good neighbor during your stay!

… Trash the place

Common sense is key: a coffee spill on an antique nightstand or on a hardwood floor have consequences… of a monetary kind, so we ask you to please respect your accommodation and leave it as you found it.

…. Leave all lights or appliances on as you leave the flat

That includes going out for a quick errand or to do some sightseeing! We care about the environment, probably more than most operators in this business, and we are trying to minimize our carbon footprint. That is difficult when you are managing 40+ properties, but we try to raise awareness about it all with simple gestures that are not inconvenient to our guests.

… Smoke

All of our managed rentals are non-smoking establishments. Think of the guests who will be there after you leave – they may be disturbed by the smell.

Furthermore, Rome gives you plenty of options for you to smoke, either indoors and outdoors. so there really is no need to do so in the flat 🙂

… Remove objects from the apartment to keep as souvenirs

That should be self-explanatory!

On the other hand, we love when you…

… Are clear about your arrival time

One of us will be waiting for you outdoors until you show up. Leaving someone hanging for hours (it has happened, alas!) is not great, so please spare a few seconds to let us know when you land (or when you board your train or catch a taxi). You’ll be our favorite guest!

… Read and respect the house rules

In some rentals you may be asked to recycle; in others, you may want to load and run the dishwasher before you leave for the airport… it really depends on the owners’, however know that every rental will have its list of instructions, which include check-in and checkout times.

These sets of rules are there to avoid misunderstandings and for you to help use the flat as if you were a local (that includes operating appliances!), so they are there to help you reach a so-called “vacation nirvana”, with no unnecessary stress or frustrations:make the most out of them!

… Treat the house as if it were your own

While tastes are obviously personal, we urge you to consider that you’re staying in someone’s real home, with decor and furniture that have been in the same family for dozens of years (or more). So please be respectful 🙂

… Let us know how your stay was

More generally speaking, we love when you communicate with us: even a simple note left in the apartment upon leaving is a great mood-booster and motivator for everyone in the office.