In Pratola Peligna, in the heart of Abruzzo, Danish Camilla Dresher Noro, from Hørsholm, on the outskirts of Copenhagen, arrived for Italy's 1 euro houses project. She wanted a small house that would allow her 5 children, born to her Italian husband, to have a reference point not too far from their grandparents who live in Piglio, a small village in Ciociaria. And in Pratola Peligna, in the province of L'Aquila, she found what she was looking for. On 23rd January 2023, a 120-square-metre house on three floors in the town centre became hers at the symbolic cost of just 1 euro. We chatted to her to hear first hand about her experience of buying a 1 euro house in Italy.
Camilla starts by telling us about how she was initially in line to get her hands of a different 1 euro house in Italy. "I was actually in line to buy another house, but I didn't get it in the end, but then this opportunity came up,' says Camilla who, as soon as she saw the property, immediately said "this house will be mine".
How does the ranking list for the allocation of a 1 euro house work?
Very simply: whoever sends the e-mail in good time is first on the list. "But it is not certain that you will then get the house," Camilla explains, "because from the moment you receive the confirmation you have two weeks to make the inspection and give your answer. In the case of this specific village, on the municipality's website it also says that once the inspection has been carried out, "You then have two months to finalise the purchase", under penalty of forfeiting the acquired right.
If you do not like the property - because of its state of conservation or for any other reason - it is easy to give up, "and there will always be someone behind you ready to buy it". Within six months of finalising the purchase contract, the new owner will then have to deposit the project for renovation, conservation or redevelopment with the municipality.
What about bureaucratic difficulties of buying houses for one euro? Practically none. So much so that Camilla, who in any case speaks excellent Italian, has done everything herself: "even though in the municipality," she explains, "they are always available for any clarification, from councillor Paolo di Bacco (responsible for the Recovery of the Uninhabited and Urban Planning, ed.) to his colleagues.
The determined Danish purchaser then followed up alone on the renovation work that was necessary to make the house habitable. The property she bought, whose structure dates back to the late 19th century, was fortunately not in bad condition. Therefore, instead of a total renovation, only the most urgent work (such as repairing parts of the ceiling where water had permeated, fixing a few walls and installing a hot water boiler) would be carried out for the time being.
It was therefore not necessary to move to Abruzzo for a long period. "I go to Pratola for periods of four to five days at a time," she recounts, "and I carry out my project in that way. I have a local person helping me, and as far as the roofing work is concerned I have got the help of a local company.
Waiting two or three years - the time needed for a complete renovation - was definitely too long for her. "I was too impatient and wanted to experience the house and the village immediately, I couldn't wait for a complete renovation,' says Camilla.
"Why did I fall in love with Pratola? Because the people always make you feel welcome, the people are friendly and welcoming. They are special.
The procedure for purchasing a 1 euro house in this Italian village is simple: the municipality of Pratola has a 'showcase' of houses offered at one euro, complete with photographs and cadastral plans. Anyone can express their interest by downloading the form from the council's website.
At that point, buyer and seller are put in contact by the municipality: if all goes well, the acceptance of the conditions set by the municipality takes place and the notary's deed to finalise the purchase. A renovation project must be submitted within six months of the purchase. Within four years the work must be completed.
To date, as far as the 1 euro houses project is concerned, one property in this small town is already completing the renovation phase (it will be handed over between May and June): three more building sites are starting currently.
Camilla Dresher Noro, who has a passion for interior design, is now attending to the details of her new nest: "For me, that house is like a blank canvas, to be filled with all the beautiful things that are already there, bringing them to life and respecting them".
In order not to waste time, however, she has worked on some furniture herself in Denmark and then sent it down to Abruzzo. The dream for the future is to remove part of the roof to make room for a 24-metre terrace with a view of the Maiella massif. "I'm thinking of a place for nice breakfasts with the family." Dreaming costs nothing. Or in this case, it costs just 1 euro.
