If you’re considering taking a trip to Rome, you might be aware that apartment rental can be much smarter than a hotel stay. However, finding the right agency can be difficult, since there are so many out there to choose from.

Here are a few things you should look for in all apartment agencies you think about dealing with. That’ll make the entire process a lot easier for everyone and help you get more out of your trip.

Quality Guaranteed Try to find properties that have been inspected fully before your stay and make sure they’re guaranteed to be clean. You may find agencies that don’t perform a full inspection before they’re added to owners’ sites, which causes a big disparity in quality.

Local Assistance Be sure that the agency you choose to deal with is able to offer support in your language, and is open all week. Some of the agencies based in other countries are unable or unwilling to offer local support, and aren’t open every day, which can be an issue if you have a problem while they’re unavailable.

Open Communications It’s not enough just to be able to get quick booking. You also want to be sure you’ll be able to receive fast email replies, live chat, and local phone service so you’ll be able to find out all the information you need.

A Reputation For Quality It’s also a good idea to find out how long an agency you’re thinking of working with has been in business and to look for reviews of their services. Find return and referral customer rates if possible.

Many Options Look for rental agencies that offer locations throughout Rome or in many areas of Italy instead of those with only a few properties. That allows you to look at more choices and get the one you really want.

Good Customer Service In addition to being able to easily access customer service, you’ll want to be sure that you’re talking to someone friendly and helpful. Many Italian companies aren’t known for their friendliness towards customers, so be sure you check on this before making a reservation.

Fair Prices The prices of accommodations in Rome are known for being high, making it a priority to find affordable and fair pricing for the apartments you rent. Look for a clear description of all rates and fees, and be sure to compare rates to other agencies.

Honest Unit Descriptions You should also make sure that the units are accurately described, that you have a full list of amenities, that all defects are listed and that you’re told size in both square meters and square feet. If maps from a service like Google are available, it’ll help, too.

Support In English A trip to Italy is a wonderful opportunity to practice your language skills, but working through a language barrier to get through a problem or negotiate services can be really frustrating. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for support in English or your other native languages to make the trip much easier.

Websites That Are Easy To Use Try to find sites that offer clear navigation and will allow you to save all your favorite listings for comparison. Another big plus is listing prices in your home currency, which makes it much easier to find the perfect property.