Index EN
Abuso edilizio
Any change to a building’s structure or volume that hasn’t been approved by the local building authority and registered at the land registry. As long as such unapproved works exist, ownership cannot be transferred.
Caparra penitenziale
A small advance (≈ 2–4 % of price) used when the deal may not be final. If one party withdraws, the buyer forfeits the deposit or receives double from the seller.
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Caparra confirmatoria
A binding down payment (usually 10–30 %) in the preliminary contract. If the buyer defaults, the deposit is lost; if the seller defaults, double must be repaid. Both sides may alternatively seek damages or specific performance.
Ammortamento / Estinzione
Gradual repayment of a mortgage or loan. Usually paid in monthly instalments of capital + interest over the agreed term.
Appartamento
Generic term for a housing unit. In Italy, a separate kitchen counts as a room: a trilocale = three rooms (incl. kitchen) + bathroom.
Perizia sul valore commerciale di un immobile
A professional valuation prepared by a certified surveyor (geometra), engineer or architect to establish fair market price for sale, purchase or financing.
Vincolo paesaggistico / storico
Legal restriction preventing unauthorised alteration of historic or scenic properties. Renovation requires approval from the Sovrintendenza.
Abitare senza barriere architettoniche
Housing accessible to all people, including those with reduced mobility; lifts and step-free access are essential.
Piano interrato
Entirely below ground; often used for storage, garages or technical rooms. Must have proper waterproofing and ventilation.
Seminterrato
Partially below ground but with windows above exterior ground level. Can be converted into living space if height and light requirements are met.
Balcone / Terrazza / Veranda
Balcone projects from the façade; terrazza is larger and usually roofed; an enclosed terrace is a veranda, which increases building volume and therefore needs a permit.
Fideiussione bancaria
Security issued by a bank guaranteeing completion or refund of deposits in case the developer or seller fails to perform.
Bonus barriere architettoniche
Italian tax incentive covering up to 75 % of costs for removing architectural barriers (validity subject to annual law).
Condono edilizio
A legal procedure allowing certain past unauthorised works to be legalised upon payment of a fine and meeting technical criteria.
Densità edilizia
Permitted built volume relative to plot size; fixed by local zoning plan. Exceeding the limit requires a specific planning approval.
Ampliamento
Increasing a property’s volume or footprint; always requires building permission and usually payment of additional municipal charges.
Norme edilizie
Municipal and regional rules defining permitted uses, distances, heights, insulation, safety etc. Violations can lead to demolition orders.
D.I.A. / C.I.L.A. (Denuncia / Comunicazione di inizio attività
Official notice to begin construction or renovation works. Must be filed by a qualified technician before works start.
Vendita a corpo
Sale based on overall property, not precise square metres. Up to 5 % deviation between declared and actual size is tolerated.
Categoria catastale
Classification used by the land registry (Catasto) to determine cadastral income and taxes.
Visura catastale
Official document showing ownership, plot size, category and cadastral income; essential for due-diligence before purchase.
Rendita catastale
Official taxable value assigned by the Catasto used for property and income taxes.
Valore catastale
The cadastral income multiplied by a legal coefficient; basis for transfer and inheritance taxes
Abitabilità / Agibilità
Confirms that a property meets health, safety and energy standards. Issued by the municipality after completion of works.
Condominio / Residence
Multi-unit property where each owner has individual ownership of an apartment and joint ownership of common parts (roof, stairs, garden).
Assicurazione del fabbricato
Covers fire, water and structural damages of the entire building; premium shared among condo owners.
Registrazione del contratto
Legal filing of rental or preliminary sale contracts with the Revenue Agency; required within 30 days of signing.
Istruttoria
Preliminary phase of administrative or judicial proceedings to gather facts and expert opinions.
Deposito cauzionale
Security paid by tenant (usually 2–3 months’ rent) to cover damages or unpaid rent; refundable if all obligations are met.
Ammortamento fiscale
Deduction of a property’s cost over its useful life in the accounts of companies or landlords.
Edilizia antisismica
Construction technique complying with anti-seismic standards; mandatory in medium- and high-risk zones
APE (Attestato di Prestazione Energetica)
Mandatory energy-efficiency certificate ranking buildings from A⁺ to G; must be presented at sale or rental.
Autorizzazione paesaggistica
Approval required when works affect protected landscapes or areas under heritage constraint.
Sfratto
Legal process by which a landlord regains possession of a rented property due to non-payment or contract ex
Rifacimento della facciata
facciata
Refurbishment of a building’s outer walls. May include plaster renewal, painting or insulation upgrades; costs are normally shared among all condominium owners according to thousandths (millesimi).
Prima Casa / Abitazione principale
Reduced transfer taxes (4 % VAT or 2 % registration) and IMU exemption for residents living in the property at least 6 months per year.
Indice di copertura
Maximum surface of a plot that can be built upon, fixed by zoning plans. Together with densità edilizia it defines permissible building volume.
Planimetria catastale
Official cadastral floor plan showing room layout, size, and orientation; must match the actual condition before sale.
Vendita giudiziaria / Asta immobiliare
Sale ordered by a court to satisfy creditors. Properties are sold “as is”; inspection and legal check are essential.
Geometra
Technical professional qualified to prepare surveys, planning documents, and supervise construction or renovation works.
Metri quadri commerciali e calpestabili
Mq commerciali = gross area including wall thickness and balconies; mq calpestabili = net usable area. Gross is usually 15–20 % larger.
Fideiussione
Legal guarantee ensuring that the buyer’s deposit or payments are protected in case the seller or developer defaults.
Impianto di riscaldamento
May be autonomous (autonomo) or centralised (centralizzato). Modern systems often include condensation boilers or heat pumps.
Immobile vincolato
MBuilding under cultural-heritage protection; external appearance and sometimes interior features cannot be changed without authorisation.
Assicurazione della proprietà / del fabbricato
Covers fire, theft, natural disasters or liability; sometimes required by mortgage lenders.
Assicurazione sulle suppellettili domestiche
Protects movable items (furniture, electronics) against fire, water or theft; separate from building insurance.
IRPEF – Imposta sul reddito delle persone fisiche
National income tax applicable to rental income or second homes; rates are progressive.
IRES – Imposta sul reddito delle società
Corporate income tax for companies owning real estate.
Catasto / Registro catastale
Public record of all properties showing ownership, boundaries, and cadastral value; maintained by the Revenue Agency.
Ispezione ipotecaria
Check of property records for mortgages, liens or legal encumbrances.
Zona paesaggistica
Area under environmental or scenic protection; construction works need additional permits.
Rendita vitalizia
Contract providing periodic payments for life, sometimes in exchange for property transfer (reverse-mortgage model).
Comodato d’uso gratuito
Contract allowing free use of a property, often between family members. Must be registered to obtain tax benefits.
Valore di mercato
Estimated price achievable in normal market conditions; basis for appraisals and taxation.
Ipoteca / Mutuo ipotecario
Loan secured by property. Registration of the mortgage (iscrizione ipotecaria) gives the bank a priority right in case of default.
Atto di mutuo
Notarial document formalising the mortgage loan; signed together with or after the purchase deed.
IMU – Imposta municipale unica
Annual municipal tax on real estate, except primary residences; based on cadastral value multiplied by a coefficient and municipal rate.
TARI
Annual waste-collection charge; based on floor area and number of occupants. Usually billed directly by the municipality.
Rogito notarile
The definitive deed transferring ownership, signed before a notary. It confirms payment, mortgage registration, and cadastral accuracy. The notary registers the deed and pays related taxes on behalf of the buyer.
Relazione notarile
Preliminary due-diligence report by the notary verifying ownership, legal compliance, encumbrances, and historical continuity of title.
Casa d’epoca / Fabbricato storico
Property constructed before modern building regulations; may have thicker walls, higher ceilings, and charm, but often requires technical upgrades.
Lottizzazione
Division of land into building plots according to a planning scheme (piano di lottizzazione). Requires municipal approval and infrastructure contributions.
Morosità
Failure to pay rent, mortgage, or charges on time. After notice, it can lead to termination or foreclosure.
Attico
Top-floor apartment, usually with large terraces and panoramic views. Command premium prices in urban or lakefront areas.
Sanatoria edilizia
Legalisation of minor unauthorised works if technical standards are met and penalties paid. Larger abuses require condono edilizio.
Compromesso / Preliminare di compravendita
Binding contract outlining price, timing, and conditions before the final deed. Must be registered within 20 days; includes down payment and penalties.
Assicurazione dell’immobile
Comprehensive coverage for building and contents against fire, water, natural disasters, and liability.
Sopraluogo
On-site visit for technical or valuation purposes. Often performed by a geometra or potential buyer.
IMU – Imposta municipale unica
Annual municipal tax applied to second homes or investment properties. Calculated on cadastral value times a coefficient.
Proposta d’acquisto
Written offer specifying price, conditions, and a small deposit. If accepted, it becomes binding pending preliminary contract.
Imposta di registro
Tax paid when registering property transfer; rate depends on property type and buyer’s residence status.
Diritto di riscatto
Buyer’s contractual right to demand resale of the property under agreed conditions. It expires after a fixed term and cannot be inherited.
Prelazione
Contractual or legal right to purchase property before it is offered to others. Common among co-owners or tenants.
Vendita a misura
Sale based on exact square metres; if size differs from stated figure by more than 1/20, price adjustment is due.
Diritto di abitazione / Usufrutto
Limited right to use another person’s property. Ends with the beneficiary’s death and cannot be transferred.
Zona sismica
Area classified by earthquake risk. Building standards differ by zone and influence insurance and design costs.
Partita IVA
Tax ID for businesses and professionals. Must be requested within 30 days of starting taxable activity.
Statica
Discipline ensuring the load-bearing safety of buildings. A structural engineer must sign off calculations for all new constructions and major renovations.
Piano di lottizzazione
Urban-planning document regulating infrastructure and plot division before construction on new land.
Bonus casa / Ecobonus
Government incentive offering tax deductions (up to 65 %) for energy-saving renovations and green improvements.
Codice Fiscale
See “Personal tax code”; required for any transaction involving taxes or public authorities.
Imposte di trasferimento
Includes registration, cadastral and mortgage taxes due upon transfer. Percentages vary by property type and buyer category.
Atto di proprietà
Official proof of ownership registered at the land registry after the notarial deed.
Trasferimento di proprietà
Legal conveyance of a property from seller to buyer through the notarial deed; must be registered for legal effect.
Certificato di destinazione urbanistica
Municipal document stating land-use classification, building potential and restrictions. Required for land sales.
Usufrutto
Right to use and benefit from another’s property without owning it. The nudo proprietario keeps bare ownership.
Perizia
Technical report assessing condition, compliance, and value of a property; required for mortgages or disputes.
IVA – Imposta sul valore aggiunto
Indirect tax (4 %, 10 % or 22 %) depending on buyer and property type. Applied mainly to new or developer sales.
Voluntary Disclosure
Legal procedure allowing taxpayers to declare previously unreported foreign assets or income, with reduced penalties.
TARI – Tassa rifiuti
Municipal charge covering waste collection and disposal; based on dwelling size and occupancy.
Cedolare secca
Optional flat tax (21 % or 10 %) replacing income and registration taxes on residential rentals.