Italian Properties for €1. First City To Offer The Scheme

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€1 properties in Taranto, Puglia

Following the success of Italian hill-towns and villages, Taranto is now offering €1 properties for sale.

Taranto, a city that sits on an island between a lagoon and the open sea in the region of Puglia is offering to sell some of its abandoned palazzi through a €1 scheme.

Taranto’s city council plans to start by offering five properties for sale, with the hope that if the scheme is a success, the project will expand.

The hope is to breathe new life into Taranto’s run down but picturesque old town by attracting investment which will develop the historic centre of Taranto.

€1 is the opening bid at auction

As with all 1 Euro house schemes around Italy, sales take place in public auction (vendita con incanto).

In Italy auctions are not common. There are no legal packs, which contain essential information including property titles and searches. Detailed property information and planning permission are therefore not available. Because you cannot tell anything about the background to a property just from looking at photos, you are responsible for conducting property-related searches.

To avoid buying what seems like a bargain but subsequently turns out to be a money pit, it is advisable that you go and inspect the property and check the local land registry. before you decide to make a bid. Obviously, this may not be possible because of time constraints and it can become costly. As you may not speak fluent Italian or have the expertise to assess what you are bidding for, we would recommend that you seek independent legal advice and professional expertise in Italy to evaluate the property before you submit a bid.

Terms and conditions apply to all Italian €1 property schemes

In fact, properties for €1 usually cost at least €20.000 at auction. On top of this, there is the legal requirement to renovate within a specific time frame. Italian properties for €1 schemes therefore generally end up costing at least €50.000.

In the case of Taranto, owners will be expected to foot the bill of restoring the properties. This could run to many of thousands of euros. Owners will have to present a restoration plan within two months of acquiring the building. In addition, owners will have to occupy the properties. The latter is a condition to stop speculators renovating and selling on these properties.

Finally …

There are plenty of other reasonably-priced houses in Italy without the terms and conditions attached to €1 property schemes. These properties may be a better option for you.

If you are interested in buying Italian properties for €1 or any other type of property in Italy, we recommend you seek independent legal advice before committing yourself. We are here to help, please get in touch.

 

You may also be interested in reading more about 1 euro houses in Italy.

You may also like to watch our useful info videos about Italian property law.

Real Estate in Italy: Reservation Offer

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Real estate contract law in Italy

If you are considering buying real estate in Italy, Italian civil code in art. 1470 governs sales and purchase contracts for Italian real estate.

A contract is a consensual transactional instrument through which one party (the vendor) transfers the ownership, or a right, to an assets to another party (the buyer).

Contractually therefore, a buyer is under obligation to pay the agreed fee to the vendor for an asset or right.

Acceptance of a reservation offer for real estate in Italy

If you are not familiar with the legal and financial implications of the three-step property purchase process in Italy, you may wish to read our guide to buying property in Italy.

The first step to purchasing a property in Italy is a reservation offer. 

In effect, when buyers find an Italian property they like, they make a written offer on the property. Amongst other things, the reservation offer identifies the property in question and makes a price offer.

For the offer to be valid, first a vendor must accept the reservation offer in writing. This acceptance must then reach the potential buyer within a time frame stipulated in the reservation offer.

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Contractual obligations of a reservation offer

Until written acceptance of a reservation offer reaches potential buyers, no contractual obligation exists between the parties. In other words, the reservation offer is revocable.

However, buyers may stipulate they wish to keep their reservation offer firm for a specified amount of time. If a vendor accepts the time frame, it means the vendor has an obligation to remove the property from the market. Because the vendor will not be able to market the property for the duration, the offer is known as, an irrevocable reservation offer.

Italian real estate agents: roles and fees

As in other countries, vendors in Italy often put their property in the hands of a real estate agency. The role of Italian real estate agents is to market the property to potential buyers. When a potential buyer makes an offer for a property, the real estate agent passes the offer on to the vendor. The estate agent does this through a reservation offer.

At this point, vendor and buyer are usually looking to move towards the second stage of the Italian purchasing process. This is where both parties sign a preliminary contract. If the vendor does not progress the sale to a preliminary contract stage, the reservation offer lapses and neither party has any obligation towards each other.

At the reservation offer stage, another aspect to consider is the estate agency commission. It is always worth asking if a real estate agent’s fees are negotiable. Generally however, commission ranges from 3% to 8% of the property sale price. Some agencies work on a fixed fee. To put that another way, fees are based on a percentage of the total sale price.

A reservation offer may not end in a sale

Between the reservation offer and signing a preliminary contract, buyers should carry out property checks and searches (due diligence). This may highlight problems or irregularities related to the property. These issues may subsequently lead to buyers withdrawing their offer.

The acceptance of a reservation offer between the seller and buyer is not therefore a guarantee it will end in a sale.

You should therefore be wary if the estate agency requests their commission at this stage.

At what stage should you pay Italian estate agency commission?

To clarify when exactly estate agents should receive their commission, a 2010 Supreme Court case is pertinent. In order for a real estate agent to be entitled to their fee, it is not sufficient that a broker merely puts vendors and buyers in contact. It is not enough to hope that the transaction concludes successfully.

In other words, commission is only payable to a real estate agent once a preliminary contract is in place between the vendor and buyer.

Difficulties linked to successful completion of a real estate transaction arise because there are so many pitfalls between the reservation offer and preliminary contract.

Contractual risks of real estate in Italy

To avoid risks, it is wise to seek independent legal advice before you sign any paperwork relating to buying property in Italy. To avoid any conflicts of interest, make sure you choose your own lawyer rather than a lawyer recommended by an estate agent or a vendor.

Your lawyer will guide you step by step through the intricacies of the Italian property purchase process.

Finally …

De Tullio Law Firm is an Italian Inheritance and Real Estate Law Firm present throughout Italy. We specialise in cross-border residential and commercial property transactions and inheritance matters in Italy. Should you need any further clarification concerning this or other property-related topics, De Tullio Law Firm will be happy to help. Get in touch with us at: info@detulliolawfirm.com.

You may also be interested in Insider Tips for Buying A Property in Italy. You may also like to watch our info videos.

Buying a house in Italy: Italian Deed of Sale

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Buying a house in Italy. What is a deed of sale?

An Italian deed of sale is the final stage of buying a house in Italy. It completes your property purchase. If you are not familiar with the Italian property purchasing process, you may like to read our free to download guide.

Buying and selling property in Italy requires the assistance of a Notary Public (notaio).

According to Italian law, a notary must remain impartial towards all parties involved in a property transaction.

Notaries work for the Italian State. Their services are not at all the same as engaging your own lawyer to guide you through the process.

Who is liable for detailed property checks and searches prior to completing a deed of sale?

You may think it is the responsibility of your notary to check these matters, however that is absolutely not the case.

Caveat emptor – buyer beware!

You, as the buyer, are responsible for ensuring that you know exactly what you are buying.

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The importance of a certificate of habitability

There are some peculiarities involved in Italian property transactions. One of these oddities relates to requirements and details in a certificate of habitability (certificato di abitabilità).

A certificate of habitability is a document attesting a property is fit for purpose. That is to say, the property meets all health, safety and planning regulations and requirements. It is also a useful document for getting utility connections (power, water, etc.). You will also need a certificate of habitability if you need a mortgage, let your property or when you sell up.

When buying a house in Italy it is crucial to check that a certificate of habitability pertains to the entire property, not just part of it

Take for example the case of Mr and Mrs Smith, who purchased a second home in the hills of the Abruzzo countryside. One of the features that attracted the Smiths to the property was the potential to transform the spacious attic into additional accommodation.

According to the deed of sale, the real estate had a certificate of habitability. The Smiths assumed that their notary had checked the details of the certificate. When the Smiths started to plan their project with a local architect, they discovered that the attic was not part of the certificate of habitability. Where did they stand from a legal point of view?

Limitations and obligations of a notary regarding an Italian deed of sale

You may think the Smiths’ is an unusual situation, however over the years, there have been numerous similar cases. Many of these have landed in the Italian courts.

In one case, the buyers of a property sued a notary for professional failure to verify whether a certificate of habitability pertained to the whole property.

The court rejected any professional liability claim against the notary. The buyers appealed, but to no avail. The judgment stated that:

“a notary’s liability is limited to obtaining a vendor’s declaration that the property is fit for purpose”.

A notary is not responsible for checking property details

The buyers further appealed in the Supreme Court. They argued that a notary, in fulfilling his role as guarantor to the certainty and seriousness of property purchase, has a legal obligation to take all necessary steps to ensure that a property purchase is safe and secure.

The Supreme Court rejected the buyers’ appeal. The ruling established precise boundaries regarding a notary’s professional responsibilities. The ruling stated that a notary must conduct land registry and mortgage searches to ensure there are no legal impediments and/or encumbrances.

Where issues come to light, the notary has a duty to inform parties to the transaction. A notary’s obligations cannot however extend to ascertaining, in practice, the existence of qualities that do not affect the marketability of the property.

In other words, a notary must merely verify the existence of a certificate of habitability. The technicalities and details of what a certificate covers are beyond the notary’s remit and liability.

What if there is no certificate of habitability?

Where a property completely lacks a certificate of habitability, the notary must inform the parties of this and outline legal consequences.

If a property doesn’t have a certificate of habitability, it is still marketable. A certificate of habitability endorses that there are no issues that compromise health and safety. However the absence of a certificate is neither an impediment to the sale or purchase of property nor does it affect the validity of a deed of sale.

The notary will however need to stipulate that the buyer agrees to purchase despite the lack of certificate in the deed of sale. The notary may also add a clause designating one of the parties to the transaction as being responsible for obtaining the relevant certificate.

Planning permission, other checks and searches

It is also worth underlining the aspect of planning permission checks. A notary must verify the presence of planning permission for a property. However, a notary is not responsible for ensuring that the property actually complies with the planning permission.

As with the certificate of habitability and other aspects, the onus is on the buyer to conduct searches relating to planning.

Due diligence is key before you sign an Italian deed of sale. Failure to check everything thoroughly can lead to expense and pain later on. It may also impact future saleability of your Italian property.

Finally …

Liability related to an Italian deed of sale, involving not only the selling and buying parties but also a notary public, represents a complex legal matter which can have far-reaching consequences.

For many, buying a property in Italy represents a huge investment. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance to engage an independent lawyer for guidance and to review the Italian deed of sale before you sign it. Such a review is typically inexpensive and serves to make sure your interests are protected.

If you are buying a property in Italy, you should always seek independent legal advice. Should you need further information concerning a deed of sale, please contact our legal professionals at De Tullio Law Firm.

You may also be interested in Estate agents are neither lawyers nor independent. We are both.

Renovating a house in Italy: Safety Requirements

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Renovating a house in Italy. Health and safety law

Who is liable for compliance with safety requirements when renovating a house in Italy?

In the case of even minor construction work the, “works manager” is responsible for safety. This is usually an architect, engineer or designer. However, if the owner of a property directly procures the services of a worker, the homeowner is acting as the works manager.

This means that the homeowner is responsible for safety. Likewise if there is an accident, the homeowner is liable to criminal and civil consequences.

Imagine you hire a plasterer to render a wall and the plasterer falls off a ladder. Or, you find an electrician to rewire your property and the electrician gets electrocuted.

You, as the homeowner, are liable. Even if you are not around at the time of the accident. As the legal owner of the property, in the eyes of the law, you are the employer of the injured worker.

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The risk of criminal and civil prosecution

Your liability for the accident is not only of a criminal nature, for culpable injuries caused to the worker, but also of a civil nature.

In other words, you may be liable to pay compensation. Compensation for a broken limb can amount to several thousand euros. In a worst-case scenario, compensation may be enough to see your property seized.

This is a very intricate legal issue based on technicalities regulated by Italian law. If you are planning refurbishment work on your property in Italy, make sure you meet  safety requirements.

Homeowner liabilities

When renovating a house in Italy, you are legally responsible for ensuring safety requirements.

Italian law takes the view that anyone regarded as, “non-professional”, such as a homeowner, who procures the services of a third party to carry out any type of home improvement, is responsible for ensuring that workers operate in accordance with health and safety legislation.

Safety requirements. A case study

Recently, the Supreme Court examined an appeal filed by a homeowner plaintiff who had commissioned a construction company to paint the exterior walls of a cottage. During the work, a painter fell through a hole in the paving. The painter fell several metres into the basement and tragically later died. The hole that caused the accident had previously been covered with boards. However, the boards had been removed by another worker and replaced with polystyrene, which was not strong enough to bear the weight of the painter.

The court of appeal upheld previous rulings which established that the homeowner had a duty of care in relation to the execution of the contract. In this case, the court identified several failures. In the first instance, the absence of a risk assessment plan. Secondly, a lack of maintenance on walkway around the cottage and risks posed by the opening into the basement. Thirdly the court considered that there had been a failure to supervise and inform workers at the property.

Safety requirements are an employer’s responsibility when renovating a house in Italy

The court found the homeowner at fault for these failures. Safety obligations are the exclusive competence of an employer, who in this case was the homeowner. In effect, the homeowner was acting as the painter’s employer. While the work was of a “domestic” nature, the court found that the homeowner was not exempt from performing the duties of works manager. In other words the accident occurred because of the homeowner’s failure to take responsibility for his employee’s safety. And the homeowner’s negligence to act in the role as designated works manager.

In cases such as this, it is, therefore, crucial to underline the homeowner’s obligation to point out any dangers on site and wherever possible, to provide for their elimination before work starts. Unless a homeowner can prove they exercised a duty of care and took all measures to provide a safe working environment, they will be held liable.

Health and safety requirements in Italian building contracts

When a homeowner engages a contractor, it is important to have a written contract. This should indicate that compliance with safety regulations is the contractor’s responsibility. This way it becomes clear, from a legal point of view, that the contractor is responsible for safety on home renovations in Italy.

Finally …

Whether you are building a new property in Italy, or renovating an existing Italian property, having the right building contract is vital to ensure that everyone involved knows their rights and responsibilities.

De Tullio Law Firm is a legal firm present throughout Italy. We have over 55 years of specialist experience dealing with issues related to property, construction and renovation matters. If you are thinking of undertaking building or refurbishment on your property in Italy, or if you are in a difficult situation concerning liabilities and safety requirements through refurbishment work, we are here to help. Get in touch with us at: info@detulliolawfirm.com

 

You may also be interested in Off-plan property in Italy – Where do you stand legally?

You may also like our info videos on the subjects of Italian property, succession and family law.

De Tullio Law Firm in Fortune Italia Magazine

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De Tullio Law Firm and luxury real estate in Italy

In the April 2019 edition of Fortune Italia Magazine, De Tullio Law Firm contributed to a discussion about the state of the luxury real estate market in Italy.

A world apart

The luxury real estate market in Italy is booming – indifferent to market fluctuations. Who buys luxury properties and furnishings?

Italy’s Luxury real estate market sector “is less exposed than other property segments to economic conditions. The uniqueness of the Italian offer, which is inextricably linked to our architectural, landscape and cultural heritage, represents a strong element of attraction”, says Giandomenico De Tullio, Managing Partner at De Tullio Law Firm. The company provides legal services in the Italian luxury real estate market – mainly serving US and UK clients.

Italy’s luxury property market is particularly healthy. Compared to the same period in 2017, the first half of 2018 saw an increase of 26.73% in real estate transactions in excess of 900 thousand euros. Real estate of more than one million euros saw 1,028 properties sold compared to 865 in the previous year. This represents an increase of 18.84%.

De Tullio Law Firm: we are specialists for cross border property law throughout Italy

Generally, we are talking about properties that mainly appeal to international clients, which De Tullio calls, ‘High Net Worth Individuals’. ” This is a clientele with high expectations that demand high levels of competence and professionalism”.

Choosing a property

In the main, investors are foreign so they often need a guide. Perhaps they don’t know Italy very well, or are unfamiliar with the dynamics of its real estate market.

Lionard, is one of the most important players at national level in the luxury real estate sector. The company is involved in the buying and selling process. They have a real estate portfolio of 13.32 billion euros. The average value of real estate for sale is 5.01 million euros.

Lionard has bases in Florence, Milan and – soon – Rome.

The company currently represents 51% of Italian properties with a value of more than 3 million euros. “The real estate market historically follows the macro-economic trend of the world’s major markets,” says Ian Heath, real estate advisor at Lionard. “For this reason, the sector has also faced and suffered from the economic crisis over the past decade. However, the luxury real estate segment, in terms of the type of clientele and internationality of the audience it addresses, is able to offer growth beyond what is happening on a local economic level”.

A growth that Lionard capitalises on with satisfactory results. “In terms of real estate portfolio, we are the first real estate operator to have over 2,500 properties offered for sale directly by owners. With regards to the company’s balance sheet, we were the first among Italian luxury sector real estate operators, to achieve a turnover of over 9 million euros with an EBITDA of over 60%”. In 2018 alone, Lionard properties valued at 106.5 million euros changed hands.

Of course, to impact such a market, the right tools are a pre-requisite. In addition to the professionals who make up the team, “the pearl of the company is undoubtedly our management system. This is the primary national resource in terms of the luxury market in Italy”, says Heath. “We cross-reference the most in demand areas and the most desired types of property with current data. This provides our target audience with a survey of more than 45,000 properties nationwide. More than 2,500 of these are officially for sale. This helps the customer to form an independent idea of all the options available”.

The right decor

Once you have purchased a luxury home, you need equally luxurious furnishings. Pasquale Natuzzi Junior Says, “high-spending clientele is undoubtedly different. It is a group of consumers for whom it is necessary to transform the purchase into a unique experience.” Pasquale is creative director and stylist at Natuzzi.

The business started life in Puglia in the ’60s. It has since become one of the few Italian companies listed on Wall Street. Natuzzi totalled 449.6 million euros of turnover in 2017 and is present in 123 markets worldwide. Pasquale Natuzzi Senior, who is still company president, founded the company.

Natuzzi enjoys recognition as the “most famous lifestyle brand in the world in the premium furniture sector”.

And, according to Pasquale Junior has built its success, “thanks to our identity, our style and our product offering”.

In addition, the luxury consumer scene appreciates, “dealing with contexts where quality of service is everything. This is  especially relevant in our sector, where cooperation with customers can continue for several months. It is important to offer an experience that goes beyond a simple visit to the store: it is a relational investment that requires time, trust and competence”.

Harnessing this market sector naturally requires special business skills, which enable, “the customer to entrust the whole process to the company”. The shop team, according to the creative director, “is engaged in customer projects that can last well over six months”.

Success depends on the ability to transmit to the customer a dedication and professionalism, taking care of every aspect of the project. An approach that is only possible, “thanks to the continuous training and development of our sales staff, evolution of our collections and investments in our points of sale. In our stores we have reliable, well-prepared professionals, with a solid background in the design sector, perfectly able to interact with our clients, an architect or an interior designer. For highly sensitive projects, we also involve other professionals (colour experts, technicians specialised in 3D modelling, 3D, designers). Experts who can provide further support at the definition phase of a project”.

Finally… De Tullio Law Firm on Fortune Italia magazine

Please, contact De Tullio Law Firm for a free preliminary consultation if you would like to discuss your property purchase or you would like further information about our services.

For over 55 years, we have been providing legal services to clients at an international and local level, gaining a strong reputation for quality, expertise, and professionalism.

You may also be interested in Buying Property in Italy

Title deed and deed of sale. Change of Names.

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Registering names on a title deed in Italy

The final step of the Italian conveyancing process is signing of the deed of sale. In effect, the title deed in Italy transfers ownership of real estate into someone’s name.

This legal procedure demands the presence of a notary public, the real estate vendor(s) and buyer(s) and two witnesses.

The notary reads aloud the entire deed, which is written in Italian. All parties, including the witnesses and the notary public, then approve and sign the title deed.

If one of the parties to the transaction is not fluent in the Italian language, Italian law requires the presence of a qualified professional to translate and interpret the title deed. This could be a translator or a bilingual property lawyer. This legal requirement aims to ensure that all parties fully understand the content and ramifications of the deed. The professional acting as translator must also sign the title deed.

Once the notary has signed-off on the deed, the buyer acquires ownership of the real estate.

Subsequently, the notary is responsible for certain formalities. Because notaries work for the Italian State, registering the deed with the tax authorities is the first step. Next the notary lodges the deed in the Public Registers. This allows any third parties who may have an interest to know about the change of ownership. Lastly, the notary informs the land registry so they can update their records accordingly.

How do you change the name on an Italian property / title deed?

There are many reasons why you may need to change the name on a title deed in Italy. Divorce and death are the most common reasons.

In order to change the name on a title deed, you will require a new notarial deed.

For example, if you acquired a property with a spouse and following a divorce you need to remove one of the names from a real property title deed, you will need a new notarial deed.

Where the divorce decree is from an Italian Court, the transfer of ownership will not involve payment of any real estate transfer tax.

If on the other hand, the divorce decree is issued by a non-Italian Court, you will have to pay real estate transfer tax.

The terms of the new title deed determine applicable tax rates. It will depend whether the real property changed hands without any payment or if there was a financial transaction involved. In the latter case, you will need a new deed of sale.

How do you find out whose name is on a title deed in Italy?

In order to find out whose name appears on a title deed, you will need to conduct mortgage and cadastral searches.

Finally …

For more information and clarification on title and sale deeds in Italy, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you.

You may also like to read: Translating legal documents in Property Transactions

Italian Luxury Property: Legal And Fiscal Definitions

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What is a luxury property in Italy?

From a legal and fiscal perspective, the Italian luxury property category of real estate includes castles as well as certain types of property such as historic villas, mansions and palaces.

Before you sign any paperwork relating to a property, you should check its legal and fiscal category.

If you need advice on any aspect of managing property searches and checks in Italy, we can help.

Legislation relating to Italian luxury property

Italian law specifies purchase tax and annual municipal tax rates on luxury properties in Italy.

Contrary to what many think, luxury homes are not exclusively large properties – in terms of square meterage. Real estate location, cultural value and the quality of finishes also determine the classification of a property.

Buying a luxury property means that as a purchaser, you will not be able to take advantage of certain benefits relating to property registration tax.

Furthermore, once you own the property, you will not qualify for municipal tax deductions and exemptions.

Italian law uses two sets of guidelines to determine luxury property: Ministerial Decree 2/8/69 and cadastral criteria.

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Luxury properties: Ministerial Decree 1969

According to this law, the definition of luxury real estate means a property must meet precise criteria. It must have at least one of the characteristics set out in the Ministerial Decree 2/8/69. These include: properties in areas which, according to town planning and zoning laws, are for villas or private parks.

Single-family homes, which sit on building plots of not less than 3,000 square meters. This category excludes agricultural areas, even if planning provides for the possibility of building residential properties.

Single-family homes with certain types of sports facilities. In particular, the law refers to swimming pools with a minimum area of 80 square meters and to tennis courts on drained ground extending to at least 650 square meters.

Single dwellings with a surface area of more than 200 square meters, excluding balconies, terraces, cellars, attics, stairs and parking spaces, that have an open area of land more than six times the covered area.

Individual real estate units with a surface area of more than 240 square meters excluding balconies, terraces, cellars, attics, stairs and parking spaces.

Properties on land where the value of the land exceeds the value of the property by at least one and a half times.

Even if a property does not have any of the above characteristics, there is a table attached to Ministerial Decree 2/8/69. This table states that a property can belong in the luxury property category if it has at least four characteristics among a list of finishes.

Specifications are complex and for the avoidance of doubt, we would advise you to seek independent legal advice.

The Ministerial Decree of 1969 is quite exhaustive in defining the characteristics of luxury homes. However, Italian legislation governing cadastral classifications also contains important indications.

Luxury properties: cadastral classification criteria

Article 33 of Legislative Decree 175/2014, assesses the cadastral classification of Italian properties. Its use is almost exclusively limited to assessing property tax rates. In particular for principal residences (prima casa).

For cadastral purposes, luxury properties are those belonging to the following categories:

A/1: stately homes – classical buildings with above-average finishes in areas considered valuable due to the presence of parks and/or gardens.

A/8: dwellings in villas. These are residential properties with fine finishes set in a park or a garden.

A/9: castles, palaces and mansions of outstanding cultural and historical and value. These mainly consist of single real estate units.

Italian properties belonging in these categories are luxury properties. Owners cannot therefore benefit from tax benefits and/or tax exemptions.

Finally …

Italian Luxury Property: a Legal and Fiscal DefinitionFor over 55 years, De Tullio Law Firm has been providing international clients with independent legal advice. We offer services in all the major fields of Italian law with particular expertise in real estate, inheritance and family law matters. Get in touch: info@detulliolawfirm.com

 

You may also be interested in Italian Property: Cadastral and Zoning Compliance

Building A House in Italy: A Brief Guide

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Purchasing the right plot of land when building a house in Italy is crucial

Self building, or having a house built, in your own country can be daunting enough. However, when it comes to building a house in Italy things can get really tricky.

If you decide to build a house in Italy, you will be subject to stringent building approvals and regulations.

Building work carried out in breach of approvals or that do not comply with regulations, expose you to criminal charges and prosecution. Court cases in Italy are protracted and costly procedures.

Non-compliances will also impact the future saleability of the property and, in a worst-case scenario may even lead to a demolition order.

You will need to deal with many professionals and legal restrictions. Building a house in Italy requires a deep knowledge of Italian law, technical aspects and working with building companies and contractors.

There can be many pitfalls along the way and we strongly advise you to seek legal advice before you even start looking for a building plot.

Get Your FREE Guide to Building and Renovating Property in Italy

Our PDF guide covers everything you need to know before you start renovating or building a property in Italy

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Get your team in place

Involve professionals from the get go. This will make the whole procedure easier.

In addition to an architect and builder, engage a lawyer. This will give you more confidence in the building procedure since your team will guide you through what is a very complex project.

What are the steps to building a house in Italy?

Firstly, check before you buy. Can actually build on a specific plot of land and if so what size property can you build? You can ascertain this information from the land registry, certificates of intended use and, by investigating the presence of any restrictions related to zoning and urban planning.

Secondly, get your architect, surveyor, engineer to design the property. This should take into account current legislation regarding energy efficiency and any incentives available.

During this phase, we would recommend you define, in detail, a list of materials and finishes. You should then start getting estimates from construction companies or builders.

Thirdly, you will have to apply for planning and building permits and/or appropriate authorisations. The application needs to go through your local municipality. Depending on the municipality, permission can take several months.

How can a lawyer help with building a house in Italy?

Essentially a lawyer will safeguard you, your project and finances by ensuring that everything complies with Italian legislation.

In the first instance your lawyer can run checks and searches for you.

For example, so as to eliminate the risk of choosing a company that may become bankrupt during your building project, a solvency check on potential building companies is vital.

In order to have genuine benchmarks, your lawyer can request quotations from a number of building companies. Usually, for new construction, there are at least four different types of companies involved, (excavation, construction, electrician, plumber), but for easier management, it is advisable to contract the works to one company that will sub-contract the work. This is important in order to have only one point of contact on-site.

It is mandatory to check the building company you engage is tax compliant. Your lawyer can check DURC (Documento Unico di Regolarità Contributiva). This shows whether the company is in compliance with employees’ social security contributions.

Your lawyer can provide project management services. In order to avoid any conflicts of interest, you should avoid nominating a project manager related to the building company.

It is essential to have a legally drafted building contract. This is critical as it ensures you have all the legal guarantees and protections throughout your build and beyond. Again, your lawyer can manage this for you.

What needs to be in place before building can start?

Building works can only commence once you have nominated a project manager and building company and you have received all the relevant permits and documentation from the Municipal Technical Office.

A Safety and Coordination Plan (Piano di Sicurezza e Coordinamento) must also be in place, pursuant to Legislative decree 81/08.

A Safety Coordinator (Coordinatore della Sicurezza in fase di Esecuzione) must oversee the building phase. All the companies involved in the building phase must comply with the provisions of health and safety regulations. In addition they must prepare their own Operational Safety Plan (Piano Operativo di Sicurezza, POS).

Waste management produced on the construction site is particularly important. All materials must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations.

Finally …

As you can see, building a new house in Italy is not a straightforward process. Relying on our legal expertise and knowledge of Italian building laws and regulations will give you certainty and peace of mind.

Should you need further information concerning the process of building a new house, please feel free to contact De Tullio Law Firm at the following email address: info@detulliolawfirm.com.

 

You may also be interested in Insurance Policy for Off-Plan Properties.

You may also like to watch our info videos about Italian property, succession and family law.

Illegal Construction in Italy (abuso edilizio)

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Do you own an Italian property that completely or partially lacks planning permission?

Illegal construction in Italy is not uncommon. The Office for Italian Statistics (ISTAT), estimates that nationally, some 20% of Italian properties are completely illegal builds.

On top of these statistics, many properties are partially illegal. For example, an outbuilding or extension that doesn’t have planning permission.

Before buying any Italian property, you should conduct planning searches in the land registry and municipal planning records. It’s crucial to check that the whole property has all the relevant building consents.

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If you are building a property in Italy, you should make sure that you have all the relevant permits and authorisations.

We advise that you seek independent legal advice to avoid the risks of prosecution and buying a property that is later unsaleable.

What is illegal construction?

Illegal construction, “edilizia abusiva” in Italian, is a crime.

If you make changes to a property without relevant consent or, you carry out building work which does not comply with permits, you are breaking the law.

Building work is also illegal if notification of commencement of work notice is missing (comunicazione di inizio lavori, CIL). This is a formal notification by the owner of the property to the municipality regarding the intention to make a change to the internal layout of a building.

There are several categories of illegal construction in Italy

Construction of an entire building without a building permit. This also applies to buildings on land in non-building zones.

An extension to an existing property without a building permit.

Work that diverges from the building permit issued.

A change of use to the property, for instance from business to residential use.

Any internal work without a required CIL notification.

Who is accountable for illegal construction work?

Those at risk of prosecution for Italian planning violations are the person named on a building permit if work is non-compliant with said permit.

Whoever commissioned the work. This may not necessarily be the property owner.

The builder or person who carried out the illegal work or the project manager may also be held liable.

It is also worth noting that if a new owner either commissioned or instigated the vendor to carry out certain illegal work prior to purchasing the property, both parties may be liable.

What are the risks of illegal construction in Italy?

The first possible consequence of commissioning illegal construction is the imposition of an administrative sanction. These vary according to the type of illegal work carried out. Possible administrative sanctions include a demolition order. This would entail removing all illegal building work and restoring the property to its original state.

If the municipality does not issue a demolition order, it may sequester the property and the owner will be given a fine. This will equate to the value of the illegal work or the estimated market value of the work.

Work that diverges from a permit or work done without a CIL notification is subject to a fine. Fines start at 516 Euros. However they can equate to twice the increase in the estimated market value of the property based on the work done.

Provided work complies with planning and building regulations in force at the time the work was carried out, it may be possible to apply for retrospective building permission.

The criminal consequences of illegal construction in Italy

Illegal building work is a criminal act in Italy. As such, it is therefore potentially punishable by arrest and a custodial sentence. More frequently however punishment involves hefty fines.

The penalties vary, depending on the type of crime committed and are in addition to previously mentioned administrative sanctions. More specifically, in the event of non-compliance with building regulations, town-planning laws and building permits, the fine is exclusively pecuniary – up to 10,329 Euros.

In the case where building work differs from a building permit, offenders could face a custodial sentence of up to two years plus a fine ranging from 5,164 to 51,645.00 Euros. Likewise if construction lacks a permit or, despite a work suspension order, work has continued.

Illegal construction on land with no zoning for building purposes can involve a custodial sentence of up to two years and a fine of between 15,493 and 51,64.00 Euros. The same penalty is applicable where illegal building work has been carried out in areas with historical, artistic, archaeological, landscape and/or environmental restrictions.

Finally …

Property buying in Italy is a serious investment. Italy has unique real estate laws and local customs. We recommend having the right team of advisors in place to make your purchasing experience successful. Should you need further information or help concerning illegal construction, please contact us.

You may also like Preliminary Contracts in Italian Property Purchases

Elective Residence Visa for Italy

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An Elective Residence Visa allows non-EU citizens to reside in Italy

You should submit your application for an Elective Residence Visa (ERV) to the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country. For example, U.S. citizens can apply to the Italian consulates in New York, Miami, San Francisco. Canadians should apply to the Italian consulates in Toronto or Montreal.

The main requirement for obtaining an ERV is that the applicants must be able to support themselves autonomously in Italy. This must through an income unrelated to employment. Your income must be sufficient to exclude recourse to the Italian welfare system.

Get Your FREE Guide to Buying Property in Italy

Our PDF guide covers every aspect of the buying process so you're ready to purchase with confidence

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Applicants for an Italian ERV must be able to provide documented guarantees

According to Italian law, ERV applicants should meet two essential elements. Firstly, they must have somewhere to live in Italy. This can either be a property they own, or a secured tenancy with a contract.

Secondly, applicants must have an income stream. This should be approximately Euro 31,000 per annum. This income must continue in to the future – for the period of stay in Italy.

Verifying that an ERV applicant has somewhere to live is fairly straightforward. However, the assessment regarding adequate finances implies a so-called discretionary evaluation by the consulate.

By law, this assessment cannot be  arbitrary. In other words, the applicant must be able to see a logical explanation behind the decision-making process.

The law sets out various principles which the consulate should take into consideration when deciding whether or not to grant an ERV.

In particular, the available financial resources should be “ample”, “autonomous” and “stable”, thus the applicant should be able to sustain himself/herself without working in Italy.

The above means that financial resources should be fully accessible to the applicant. And, that funds should not be subject to unexpected, sudden fluctuations. The consulate must be able to make a reasonable assumption that an applicant’s financial resources will also exist into the future.

The applicant’s financial resources should originate from pensions, life annuities, ownership of real estate, ownership of stable economic-commercial activities or other sources of income. Income cannot however be from employment.

In the absence of any logical, valid and concrete reasons, so long as an applicant for an ERV meets the above requirements, the consulate cannot refuse to grant an ERV.

Finally …

Do you think your ERV application was wrongly rejected or do you need help with an ERV application?

The evaluation of the elements for an ERV application by the consulate is discretionary. However, as previously mentioned, it cannot be arbitrary.

Should you need further information concerning an elective residence visa or preparing your application or, if you wish to appeal the denial of an ERV, please contact us.

 

You may also like to read about what to do if your elective residence visa application is refused. We also have a series of info videos that you may like to watch.