Do Italians Take Their Kitchens When They Move?
Introduction
In Italy, it is common for people to take their kitchen appliances with them when they move, especially if the appliances are built-in or of high quality. This article discusses the practices and considerations related to moving kitchens in Italy, providing insights based on personal experiences and general trends.
Personal Experience
Not always. According to my experience, the lady who sold us her apartment did not take the kitchen with her. The kitchen was fairly new and in excellent condition, which was ideal for us since we were moving to a town 700 km away from our current city. The added benefit was that this distant location meant an additional expense of ferry fare for moving the kitchen equipment would have been significant.
Kitchen Appliance Costs
Kitchens are often expensive, and their acquisition usually aligns with the taste and specific needs of the family cook, who is typically but not always the woman of the house. Such cooks can be quite particular about their kitchen equipment. Consequently, if moving is not prohibitively expensive, it is often worthwhile to take one's kitchen when relocating.
Fitted Kitchens
The situation can become challenging when the kitchen appliances are customized to fit precisely the kitchen room. In this case, it is highly unlikely that they will fit the new kitchen room. If they don't fit, they will likely be left behind due to the impracticality of finding a new space for them.
Market Practices
The decision to take or leave a kitchen when moving can vary based on several factors, including the specific house, the financial investment made in the kitchen, and the terms of the sale or rental agreement. According to a personal account, when moving to a new location in Italy, Italians often try to bring their kitchen with them, albeit after some modifications if necessary. This is a common practice among friends and acquaintances.
Some people have noticed that in many cases, the kitchen is fully removed when moving, and the house may come with nothing in the kitchen. On the other hand, there are situations where the kitchen appliances are provided as part of the deal. For instance, when renting a new home, kitchen equipment might already be included, and the new tenants would not need to provide their own.
Tenant Agreements
It is crucial to consider the specific terms of the rental agreement when moving. If the landlord includes the kitchen in the rental package, then the tenant is likely to have the kitchen with them. However, if the kitchen is not part of the rental agreement, the tenant may need to find a new kitchen or hope that the landlord offers an allowance for the cost of moving the kitchen.
According to a personal experience, when recently moving into a second rental home, both times the rented property included a large, fitted, and functional kitchen. This scenario is not uncommon, as some landlords prefer to include kitchen equipment in their rental offers to make the property more attractive to potential tenants.
In summary, while it is common for Italians to take their kitchen appliances with them when they move, the decision can depend on multiple factors. It is always advisable to check the moving and rental agreements to understand explicitly what is included in the move.