What are the legal steps to purchasing a property in Italy?
Once the reservation contract has been signed there is usually a period of 2 – 4 weeks for the lawyer to carry out checks on the property before you sign the main (Preliminary) contract (compromesso). It is important to understand the role of the surveyor (geometra). He is not a surveyor in our usual sense of the word (somebody who reports as to the condition of a property) but rather someone who confirms the official planning and land usage status of the property. Especially in the case of rural and historic properties his role is invaluable as matters are seldom clear and without involving the geometra they will not become clear until (if you are lucky) the final enquiry made by the Italian notary. After your lawyer has carried out all the necessary checks, they will produce a written report setting out their findings. Provided the checks are satisfactory you then sign the Preliminary Contract and, usually, pay over a deposit of 10% of the price on a resale property and a down paymen
