Just bought a house in Abruzzo

[dario]

Originally Posted by rob22911

Hi Paola
I'm looking to buy in Abruzzo the property is detached in own land I have been advised you can improve without planning permission as long as there are no properties within 5 metres but I've also heard you need planning permission even for inside such as knocking a wall through could you advise me on the right procedure please.
Thanks
Rob

No, its not that simple Rob. Planning permission will be needed regardless of the distance of adjacent property, 5 metres is the minimum distance you have to keep even though there are cases in which this limitation can be avoided.
As to knocking down walls, you would need wat is called a D.I.A. (dichiarazione di inizio attività) or "declaration of commencent" regarding the work that has to be done.
dario

[dario]

Rob, if you want to see other properties you can get in touch at dipietropaolodario@tin.it

Youl'll find other posts here explaining my position.

[dario]

Originally Posted by Barry

No problem.

If we had to do it again knowing what we do now I would spend a little more time and look on our own, find a notary and a geomtre and skip the real estate firms entirely. It would take longer but I think it would be more enjoyable.

Im not an estate agent but an italian and english solicitor. If you need advice on property buying in Italy, get a lawyer. If you, or anybody are buying, stay clear of geometra's, especially contracts drawn up by them (geometra is a qualification they get at high school) - believe me, and I'm speaking as a lawyer, whenever geometra's draw up a contract there is usually work for lawyers. Estate agents are, generally speaking, better than them as they are more used to the contacts involved. Notaries are more expensive but along with a property lawyer they are the best.


dario

[dario]

Originally Posted by Momma C

Hiya
I am using Abruzzo Houses in Pescara. They have been very helpful and so far have no problems. They showed me a gem of a place in Vacri when I came over for the first time in April, I came over again beginning of May to see the place with a Geometra and made an offer. I am going over again in May 20th for the signing on May 23rd. I intend to live there and will start to get Italian residency but I am looking after my parents who are both in care so I can't leave them but at some point I will live the Italian life and have friends over and travel around seeing Italy and Europe more, also of course learn the language.
Abruzzo Houses have builders but I wanted to get ex pats comments on their experiences first and to know what is a reasonable building cost etc:
It would be great to get to know English people when I am out there on trips so maybe we will meet up sometime. I am in Northampton.

Kay

I am a Leicestershire expat. Hinckley to be precise. I live in the Teramo area, near the sea, not far from Pescara.

[dario]

Originally Posted by Stella Artois

Hi Paola

Just one question, what's a visura, please? And what's the difference between a visura and an original deed, please?

Many thanks

A visura is simply a land search. Its what you get on paper at the land registry office, though the visura itself may be misleading.
If you need to do a land search go through a specialist. Usually notaries have their own specialists. If in doubt ask a notary or his secretary, he'll usually be able to come up with someone competent.
If you contact a geometra he'll probably say that he is capable. This is often true, but if the property is very old the land registry may not be up to date, therefore ask an expert to search.

[maisie21]

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.

[TAO]

Hi Barry ,
First, congratulations to you and your wife on your grand baby girl!! Nothing like grand children to keep you grounded and... busy...!
No, I have not stayed at my place in winter yet, but my friends Gerald and his wife have one and they rave about it and make me buy one for my living room as the fireplace there does not work properly. And that is the smallest wood stove of that brand. They do have bigger if your place needs a stronger one.
On my return from Africa, I will be in France the last week of september and will be in Abruzzo for a week and a week in Tuscany in October. If you guys will still be in Carrufo at that time, we should meet for a drink with Gianni and Mira.

[Barry]

Hi Yvonne,
I don't know when exactly we will be in Carrufo. Probably the second or 3rd week of September. How do I get a job like you travelling all over the world?
Barry

[maisie21]

Originally Posted by rob22911

Hi Paola
I'm looking to buy in Abruzzo the property is detached in own land I have been advised you can improve without planning permission as long as there are no properties within 5 metres but I've also heard you need planning permission even for inside such as knocking a wall through could you advise me on the right procedure please.
Thanks
Rob

Hi Paola
Do you run the La Base estate agency?
My husband and I met an estate agent in the supermarket when we were in Pescara and I wondered whether it was you.
We were quite despondent at the time due to the poor quality of renovations to our property.
You were extremely helpful and assured us that the majority of Italian people were trustworthy.
If this was you, thank you very much.
We are travelling to Ofena on Tuesday, I still have your card so if I need any advice we will visit you.
Many thanks.
Judy

[cimesaaz]

Hi Claire

I am new to this forum well forums in general. I was trying to reach your blog, but was unsuccessful. Would it be possible for you to post a link to your blog on here? That would be wonderful.

I planning to move to Tuscany next year, have not decided exactly on which city yet, but I have several in mind.

Grazie,
Ciao
Caterina