Hi Rob/Dario
We were also told that we would need a DIA document to secure permission to knock down an internal wall, which was all very well, but the agent acting on our behalf omitted to mention the signing of a contract.We are now dealing with a reputable builder/engineer but it took us three months of emailing and phone calls to get the agent to supply us with the original DIA document.We have also spoken to an estate agent from the La Base agency who was very helpful and had a very poor opinion of the two agents that had previously been dealing with our renovation works, apparently they were not qualified to act as site managers and in consequence the builder that they recommended used foriegn labourers whose standards fell far below what was acceptable.I can onle urge you Rob to heed Dario's advice and use reputable estate agents and lawyers.It may be more expensive initally but you may not lose money, as we did. I think that you will find that most Italians are very proud and are eager to help and that it is only a minority who are less scrupulous.We love Italy and the way of life and are looking forward to eventually moving to Italy and are now trying to put our inital problems with the agents and builder behind us.
Judy.