How do you buy a house in Italy?
How do you buy a house in Italy?

Buying a house can be a lengthy and stressful process, and there’s often a lot of official hoops to remember to jump through. To be sure you don’t forget a thing, you can use this comprehensive checklist to tick these vital steps off as you go.

  • Get the Certificate of Habitability (Certificato di Agibilità), which includes the history of the property and certifies the correct installation of all light fittings, plumbing, cables etc., effectively allowing the property to be lived in.
  • Get a Land Use Certificate which will show any civic or landscape restrictions currently in force within the bounds of the property.
  • Get the Energy Performance Certificate.

What the seller should give you

  • Get the title deeds, cadastral land registry certificates and surveys from the owner, which ensure that the property doesn’t come with any additional costs or nasty surprises. Check to make sure all the details match up between each form. The current owner should provide you with all this stuff themselves, although it’s also available from the Property Register (Registri Immobiliari) and the Land Registry (Catasto Terreni).
  • The owner should also make available to you the planning permission forms, as well as any records of and permission for renovations or repairs.
  • And finally, don't forget to sign the contract!