Certificato energetico from 1 July 2009

For new flats you also need a sound proofing cerfificate for floors and windows.  The soundproofing specialist would work the requirements depending on the size of the windows typically 34 decibels may be too low, 36 to 39 decibels may be required which means thicker glasses and perhaps thicker window frames.   The commune, I am told requires the specifications for floor soundproofing before building work can start. I am still evaluating the impact of this new law!

These have been in force in a partial way over a number of years, the first being law 10/91 and then followed by law 192/2005. These basically were applied to new builds or full rebuilds of property and had to be lodged with the local commune. What is happening now is that 192/2005 is coming into basically full force as the time span was to cover a few years. Articles are in English.www.mondaq.com/article.aspwww.rehva.eu/projects/clima2007/SPs/B03L1730.pdf

 Besides the energy and sound proofing ones do they intend to introduce other compulsory reports and disclosures for the sale of property? In France they also request inspections for termites and xylophagous insects and the presence of lead, asbestos and other dangerous products.I also find the cost of the report very high if we compare it with what we had to pay in France when we sold our property there, and it was a very comprehensive one.

As a rough guide and this is based on the reports that we carry out, it is between 3-3.5 Euros + IVA @ 20%, per square metre of the property.

Because Italian Building Regulations require a minimum height for living rooms, studies and bedrooms and the communes are being more strict about sound-proofing in flats (a similar position in the UK) we are having to take great care in building up the floor to make sure we achieve the required room heights.  You could say why not make the building taller? Bearing in mind each building is controlled by the allowable volume, the height you can build from the street up and the cost, the conversation with the builder for the floor normally goes like this: pipes for cental heating, do we need to dig them in, who goes first the electrician with his pipes or the plumber, the sound-profing layer how thick and do we need to adhere to the original specification or can we change to a thinner material with the same protection, then what about the "maceto" how thick sould it be, then how much space have we got left for the tiles, which determine the type of tiles you can put down.  Certainly not hand made cotto: too thick!  When it comes to tiling, at that stage we would discuss how the tiles are laid: diagonally will cost more: there are more cuts which require more tiles as there are more waste and take longer so labour cost per metre will be more. Our village in Tuscany is a conservation area and like the UK, a conservation area attracts special attention.  Unlike a listed building, a designated conservation area gives broader protection from development  and takes account of all relevant aspects of the village, not just one building.  We build and renovate in the UK and Italy and I must say the process in the UK is more strict and unlike the UK we do not have to put up with village consultation, including the do-gooders and the back-stabbers.  This alone takes time and effort to manage and the risks of upsetting the locals is greater.  In Italy if the locals do not like what you are doing or have done they would write anonymously to the Commune.   In the UK neighbours can apply for permission to have things demolished on your land: they do not have to be the owners to apply for planning permission, and they would certainly report you after inspecting the plan, which is a public document.  Building regulations control is also different in the UK, in the example of the floor we would have to make sure the Building Inspector sees it before we cover it with sand and cement.  In Italy that is not the case the Director of Works certifies most things at the end! My opinion: Italy is not more bureaucratic just different, and when you have learnt the process it is just as frustrating as the UK because what we want to do is not always what we are allowed to! My advice: when buying in Italy or the UK enquire whether the house/flat is in a conservation area, then your expectations on what you can achieve will be different. 

Crikey! what next, on my last floor tiling job the builder asked me if I wanted them laid diagonally or square (ly) .Did I make the right choice or will I incur the wrath of the commune tile-acceptability-inspectorate? Woe, woe and thrice woe!

All in line with EU regulations.  It was introduced here on 1st Jan this year but it certainly doesn't cost anything like the amounts quoted in this thread

I think all the EU countries have to implement these laws, although each country is slightly different.  I now feel a wee bit smug as I have my solar panals having danced jigs with our commune as we also live in a conservation area.  BUT at least it adds value to the property!!!  

I've heard that if you are replacing windows from old, to new energy efficient double glazing, you can get a grant/discount towards doing this.  As we will be replacing ours next year at our house in Piedmont, I'd be grateful if anyone can tell me if they have heard about this as well, and how to find out more?  If we can save money, we'd obviously like towith thanksJane

As far as I am aware, then the only way to get any grants about energy saving are having a energy saving certificate, which states that the energy saving from the original habitation is 20%+. This has to be completed by a thermal engineer and logged with the relevant authority. From that point you can start to deduct "up to" 55% of the cost from taxes paid over a period of 5years.In all cases, I think you will find you have to have full residency and pay Italian taxes on income ........ it is only up to 55% of the cost based on the tax you are actually paying. If you have a certified "green energy" new installation in a present house that is classed as "habitale", then you can claim this "up to" 55% against the whole installation, plus double glazing etc to get to the 20% energy saving.This was the latest information that I have, but as with everything else here, things change quite rapidly from month to month.

Found the first URL all details are in Italian, but hope this helps.http://efficienzaenergetica.acs.enea.it/faq.pdf

Have just found this info, only in Italian though.

La solita confusione nella certificazione energetica

3 luglio 2009 Eliminato l’obbligo di allegare l’attestato di certificazione energetica agli atti di compravendita, è invece rimasto l’obbligo di dotare gli immobili dell’attestato,secondo l’art. 6 del D.Lgs. 192/2005, secondo le seguenti scadenze: dal 1° luglio 2009 per le singole unità immobiliari, nel caso di trasferimento a titolo oneroso. Dal 1° luglio 2009, in caso di trasferimento di proprietà, quindi, tutti gli immobili devono essere dotati di certificazione energetica. Tutt’ora mancano le Linee Guida per la certificazione, NON emanate nemmeno con il recente D.P.R. n. 59/2009 (Regolamento di attuazione dell’articolo 4 del D.Lgs.192/2005). Fino all’emanazione delle suddette Linee Guida nazionali, per le regioni che non hanno legiferato in materia, l’attestato di certificazione energetica è sostituito dall’attestato di qualificazione energetica, redatto dal direttore dei lavori e presentato al Comune di competenza contestualmente alla dichiarazione di fine lavori. Per fare chiarezza sul corretto comportamento da tenere in caso di compravendita di immobili il Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato ha emanato lo Studio n. 334-2009/C. (da Biblus-net – Acca software)

Have just been reading this article on the above. At least it is in English, so may be more clear on the points. If you also look at some of the other articles, there is information on tree planting regs, house buying etc. http://www.delgiudice.clara.net/ENG/EnergyCert.htm