It is probably a sign of age(in our 70s),but whether in the states,or out,we have never rented an apartment for vacations, only hotels.
So we wondered ,as I assume there isn't a person to greet us,like a hotel(or am I wrong)
How does check in and out work,and can technology challenged folks have issues
I see some great reviewed places that are interesting
Sorry for the old man posts
Thanks
You are sort of right, at least in all my rental experiences in the US.
Generally in the US when you rent an apartment through VRBO or AirBnB the owner (or agency) will send you a code with which you open a lockbox attached to the door, where the key is located, or sometimes the door has a code pad rather than a key, and you enter the house using that code.
In Italy that was the case also in many cases (in other cases they would meet you in person and give you the key/passcode at that point). Basically the owner would send you the instructions via email after you sent them a copy of your passport, and presumably the payment (I doubt they'll let you in before they received the money). Italian law requires a landlord or hotel owner or apartment host to report the identity and a copy of the passport/ID of all guests to the police headquarters within 24 hours from check in (this is done remotely via secure internet portal). Usually you would send a copy of your passports via email, and they would upload everything onto the Italian police portal.
However, a couple of months ago, the Italian government issued a Ministerial Circular in which they stated that the owner of the apartment (or its agent) must ALWAYS meet the renter IN PERSON, and verify the passport (or ID card) in person or "de visu" (face to face, in Latin). In other words the Italian government said that it is not sufficient for your to send your passport copy via email to the owner so that the owner can report the rental to the authorities, but they have to verify your identity in person.
So, assuming the apartment/home owner follows such recent directive, you should be met in all cases by a real person first, who will check your passports in person (I'm sure they will have asked you to send a copy via email previously as well). They might give you the key or passcode at that point (or maybe they might have sent the code to you previously) but they are now required to see you in person and check your passport in person. Whether they will actually do it or continue to do the things remotely as before remains to be seen.
Sometimes someone greets you.
Sometimes it is all remote.
We are 67/76 and have only used AirBnB since 2017.
For us, AirBnB units:
A much larger space
Washer (we travel very light)
Kitchen for those few times we want eat in
Cheaper
I am finding that the new regulations, where one must meet the owner or his/agent in person, is being followed -- but this is ONLY based on 2 upcoming rentals in italy (one in Milan, by the way). Both AirBnB establishments state that someone will meet us in person at the rental where key handover and passport proof will happen. Of course, there may be owners who may NOT follow these new regulations. If I were you, I would specifically ask the perspective owner how check-in is accomplished. Then you can be assured of in-person check-in and avoid any technology issues. I'm kind of happy with the new rules as I like meeting the owner and being given an in person orientation -- it is much more personal. But you do give up a bit of flexibility in terms of arriving whenever you get there and signing in with a code.
Also, as a side point I wanted to mention that Navigli is a picturesque Milan neighborhood but it is known for having significant nightlife. So I would make sure to read the reviews carefully for any mention of noise, etc. You can even do a search directly in the reviews for specific terms such as "loud", "noise" "quiet" etc. this will save you from having to read every review. Some places have excellent triple glazing of their windows and will do an excellent job of blocking out possible street noise.
