This Italian Town Wants to Help Pay Your Rent

Italy’s smallest towns have a long history of selling abandoned homes for unbelievable prices to attract newcomers to take up residence. But now, rather than simply offering houses for 1 euro, the town of Radicondoli, which sits about an hour outside of Florence, wants to give you a little startup capital for your property instead. 

In October, CNN reported on the small town that has dwindled from 3,000 residents to just 966. In 2023, Radicondoli began offering 20,000 euros (roughly $23,000) to people who purchased homes in the town, along with an additional 6,000 euros homebuyers could use for expenses like heating. And, according to the town’s mayor, the plan worked. Since 2023, it has funded 23 property sales and attracted 60 new residents. But now they want more. So, it’s expanding its plan to attract new residents by promising to cover half of the first two years of rent for new tenants through early 2026.

“We’ve earmarked over 400,000 euros ($465,000) this year to support new home purchases and rentals, alongside other key measures like financial aid to students, public transport commuters, and green energy subscribers,” Mayor Francesco Guarguaglini shared in a statement about the program. 

And here’s the real value in choosing Radicondoli: These homes are far from the fixer-uppers you see on offer for 1 euro. 

“We distinguish ourselves from the sale of houses at 1 euro. Here, our homes have a value,” Guarguaglini said. “Sociality, hospitality, and numerous cultural initiatives are the added value alongside the strategic location of the village.”

There’s also a rather wide range of homes available to purchase in the town. A glance at Idealista shows listings like this charming one-bedroom apartment, which used to be an olive mill. While in need of a facelift, it comes with plenty of historic charm, thanks to its vaulted brick ceilings. It’s currently listed at 180,000 euros.

Then, there are behemoth estates like this 25-million-euro organic farm with panoramic views of Radicondoli. The main home clocks in at about 10,000 square feet, which feels small on the 2,718 acres of land. There are also 23 ruins around the property and horse stables, which can all be renovated into tiny apartments.

There is—and we hope you saw this coming—a catch. To qualify for the home scheme, residents must stay in the town for at least 10 years, while renters are required to stay for four. Still, a lifetime in an adorable Italian village doesn’t sound like much of a compromise. 

Learn more about the town’s housing schemes and how you can apply to take part at wivoaradicondoli.it.