Before the preliminary contract · Rome and the northern coast
Is the house you want to buy legal?
In Italy the notary is not required to check building compliance, and the municipality does not certify it. Unpermitted works surface after the deed, and they become your problem. We look for them first: from public records in 48 working hours, or at the town hall, with a signed report. In English.
How it works
Records first, then the signature.
Two minutes of form, documents if you have them.
What zoning, constraints and risks say. What doesn't add up.
If points stay open: municipal records and a site visit.
You sign knowing what you are buying.
The two levels
Clear price before we start · The quick read is informative and does not replace a technical check · *Depends on the municipality
Start the check
Six questions, two minutes.
Questions
Before you sign, the right questions.
Isn't the notary already checking that the house is legal?
The notary checks that the deed states the building permits, or that the property predates 1 September 1967 (Art. 46 of Presidential Decree 380/2001), and the cadastral compliance statement. The notary does not check that what stands today matches what was permitted: a technician reconstructs that from the municipal records.
What is the legal status (stato legittimo)?
It is the property as described by the building permits that authorised it and by later lawful works (Art. 9-bis, para. 1-bis, Presidential Decree 380/2001, as amended by the Salva Casa decree, Decree-Law 69/2024). If what stands today differs, there are irregularities.
What happens if there are irregularities?
It depends on what they are. Some fall within building tolerances (Art. 34-bis, Presidential Decree 380/2001), some can be regularised with a filing and a cost, some cannot. Knowing before the preliminary contract lets you negotiate the price, ask the seller to regularise, or not sign.
How long does it take?
The quick read arrives within 48 working hours, from public data: landscape plan, landslide and flood risk, zoning where available. The signed check takes 7–15 days, because it depends on how fast the municipality grants access to its records.
What do you need to start?
The address. If you have them, the cadastral plan, the previous deed and the building permits: they shorten the time. Access to municipal records needs the owner's authorisation: we prepare it for you.
Where do you work?
In Rome and on the northern coast: Ladispoli, Cerveteri, Fiumicino, Santa Marinella. The quick read also covers Lazio's main towns; the signed check and site visit, Rome and the northern coast.