This paper evaluates the potential informational contribution of a new dataset of online rental listings published on the web site Immobiliare.it to the analysis of the residential rental market in the Italian provincial capitals. Compared to official statistical sources, the dataset contains detailed information on the characteristics of each dwelling, enabling, for example, the construction of rental price indicators corrected for changes in house quality.
The information derived from online listings, which is very timely, is consistent with that provided by official sources. The analysis shows that the physical condition of dwellings listed for lease are better than the average of the homes put up for sale; moreover, their rate of return decreases as floor area increases.
