Buying Property In Italy | Things To Check

Things To Check When Buying Property In Italy

The Italian property buying process provides considerable protection to the buyer and problems are relatively rare. You are only likely to encounter any problems if you do not protect yourself by hiring your own Italian surveyor and solicitor to check the property thoroughly.

That said, there are a few scenarios where you may risk losing the property after the Compromesso has been signed.

These situations won't apply to most buyers, but if you know about them in advance then you will recognise whether they might apply to your property:

If the property you are buying has sitting tenants or is used to run a business, check whether the people involved will make any claim on the property - this can happen.
In Italian wills, properties are often left equally to several brothers and sisters, all of whom then own a share. If you are buying such a property, make sure every one of the vendors signs the Compromesso - otherwise one of them could pull out and stop the whole sale.
Prelazione - this is only relevant to properties with land in agricultural areas. What it means is that neighbouring farmers will have first refusal on the property you are buying. Once you have signed the Compromesso, they will have 30 days to match your offer. There is nothing you can do to prevent this.

The purpose of this policy is to help farmers expand their farms and to prevent the continued sub-division of farming land, which makes it less productive.

Glossary of Important Italian Property Terms

Avvocato -Italian solicitor (a private solicitor, not a Notaio)

Caparra - the deposit paid when the Compromesso is signed.

Codice Fiscale - Italian tax code, required for purchasing an Italian property

Compromesso - Preliminary purchase contract (binding)

Contratto Preliminare - Same as Compromesso

Geometra - Italian surveyor

Imposta - Tax (anything beginning with Imposta is probably a tax or charge, payable when the sale completes)

Notaio - Notary Public - a government solicitor employed to conduct the sale

Prelazione - the right in agricultural areas for farmers to buy their neighbours' properties, overriding other offers

Proposta irrevocabile d'acquisto - Reservation contract, taken out to reserve a property until the Compromesso is ready

Rogito - the final stage of a property sale, like exchange and completion in the UK

Scrittura Private Autentica - Deeds of sale

Ufficio dei Pubblici Registri Immobiliari - Italian Land Registry

Valore Catastale - local tax, payable on purchase

Read On

• Introduction

• Buying A Property In Italy – 4 Easy Steps

• Should I Get A UK or Italian Mortgage?

• Getting A Mortgage In Italy

• Other Things To Check When Buying In Italy

• Glossary of Important Italian Property Terms

Buying Overseas Property and Mortgages

Read enough? Just want a quote? To get your best mortgage quote quickly and easily we can put you in contact with a recommended mortgage adviser. It's free, completely confidential and there's no obligation at all. Simply fill out the form below


Value of Property	£
		(eg 125000)

Borrow How Much?	£
		(eg 92500)

Your Mortgage Type

First time buyer?		Yes No
Have you found property?		Yes No
Country

Sorry ! The amount you want to borrow is less than £25,000. This is the minimum allowed for a mortgage. But don't worry! You could get the money via a personal loan. I want a free no obligation loan quote Click OK No thanks. I will change my borrow amount to more than £25,000 Click Cancel

[improve this article]

Things To Check When Buying Property In Italy

Read On

Browse over 200 Free Mortgage Tips

Site Help