Moving to Ofena

[maisie21]

Originally Posted by Barry

Well we got the notice from the comune yesterday and contrary to what they told me our house has been classified E, Edificio Inagibile!

Reading the report however it seems the reason is that our chimney cap is damaged and we must remove or repair it before they will reclassify the house.

As it consists of 2 roof tiles standing on end and butting at the top and we don't use it I have to find someone with a long latter to remove or repair it or I'll do it when we get there in September.

I'am a little disappointed in the frivilous nature of the damage and the fact it was a fireman, not a structural engineer, who did the inspection and he didn't even enter the house.

It was the firemen that classified our house as an 'E' but they have been inside a few times to assess the damage.
Your assessment does appear to be somewhat extreme if that is the only damage. Perhaps they are worried about the tiles falling off on to passers by.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by maisie21

It was the firemen that classified our house as an 'E' but they have been inside a few times to assess the damage.
Your assessment does appear to be somewhat extreme if that is the only damage. Perhaps they are worried about the tiles falling off on to passers by.

I talked to Gianni and he has been in the house and had a look and he says there is no damage. I will get a ladder when we go and replace the chimney cap to keep them happy. I showed the letter to our Italian Consolare and he figures they are just covering themselves from potential liabilities.
This brought up the fact that I hadn't any house insurance. I remember talking to a couple of companies here in Canada about it when we bought the house but they hadn't a clue so didn't pursue it. I've obtained a number of quotes from British firms specializing in holiday homes and it looks like 150 pounds per year. Does that sound reasonable?

[maisie21]

Originally Posted by Barry

I talked to Gianni and he has been in the house and had a look and he says there is no damage. I will get a ladder when we go and replace the chimney cap to keep them happy. I showed the letter to our Italian Consolare and he figures they are just covering themselves from potential liabilities.
This brought up the fact that I hadn't any house insurance. I remember talking to a couple of companies here in Canada about it when we bought the house but they hadn't a clue so didn't pursue it. I've obtained a number of quotes from British firms specializing in holiday homes and it looks like 150 pounds per year. Does that sound reasonable?

It sounds very reasonable, but what is it for? Is it for the building or the contents? We will need cover for a permanent home though for when we make the move, but we were told that there weren't any companies that would insure against earthquake damage.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by maisie21

It sounds very reasonable, but what is it for? Is it for the building or the contents? We will need cover for a permanent home though for when we make the move, but we were told that there weren't any companies that would insure against earthquake damage.

I've had a quote from Copeland Insurance for 186 pounds which includes earthquake coverage and from Intasure for 156 pounds also including earthquake insurance. Contents are only 5000 pounds so you would want more. I've emailed them back pointing out we are in the earthquake zone and that our house is fairly large (250 sq./m) and asking them to requote so we will see what happens. The plans they offer seem cheap compared to what I pay here but as the houses are stone there is no worry about them burning down!

[maisie21]

Originally Posted by Barry

I've had a quote from Copeland Insurance for 186 pounds which includes earthquake coverage and from Intasure for 156 pounds also including earthquake insurance. Contents are only 5000 pounds so you would want more. I've emailed them back pointing out we are in the earthquake zone and that our house is fairly large (250 sq./m) and asking them to requote so we will see what happens. The plans they offer seem cheap compared to what I pay here but as the houses are stone there is no worry about them burning down!

I haven't heard of either of those companies but I will contact them and see if they can help us. As I said we would need cover for a permanent residence so we will have to see whether they would cover us for that.

[carmela]

Originally Posted by maisie21

Hi
My husband and I have bought a house in Ofena and are planning to retire there in 2 years time.
We would be very interested in meeting any other expats in the area to discuss the benefits of moving to Italy.
We bought our house through The House Around Italy team.They have all been very helpful especially their 'Girl Friday' but beware of any builders that the agents recommend the standard of work from the builders we used was very poor and cost a lot of money.
We will be back in Ofena 3rd June for a week if anyone wants to meet up. Our house is on Via Delle AIE.

Hello there,

where is Ofena? I am moving to Liguriaand problems with builders, too.
I change the teamtwice but finally found a very reliable team from the Piemont, very professional, also in high end finitions and honest prices.
They come on Monday and leave on Friday late afternoon.
I can forward their coordinates, if necessary.

Best wishes

Carmela

[Barry]

Originally Posted by maisie21

I haven't heard of either of those companies but I will contact them and see if they can help us. As I said we would need cover for a permanent residence so we will have to see whether they would cover us for that.

Well I heard back from Copeland and when they found out where our house was they refused to insure it.

[maisie21]

Originally Posted by Barry

Well I heard back from Copeland and when they found out where our house was they refused to insure it.

That is the sort of response that I expected. We will just have to hope that when the ties are inserted that they secure the house sufficiently enough to withstand any further quakes.
We can but hope, other than that it would mean not making the move to Italy and losing the money that we have already invested.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by maisie21

That is the sort of response that I expected. We will just have to hope that when the ties are inserted that they secure the house sufficiently enough to withstand any further quakes.
We can but hope, other than that it would mean not making the move to Italy and losing the money that we have already invested.

I've still to hear from a couple of others. If no one will insure for earthquakes I will try for liability and contents alone.
I guess the post office offers insurance but you have to have an account and be a resident.

[maisie21]

Originally Posted by Barry

I've still to hear from a couple of others. If no one will insure for earthquakes I will try for liability and contents alone.
I guess the post office offers insurance but you have to have an account and be a resident.

We will definitely try and get contents cover anyway. I am a great believer in taking out insurance and extended warranties so I will start investigating possible brokers shortly.